Although spurned by many journalists as time consuming and unproductive, Canada’s public records laws can yield great stories for those who are persistent and organized. For those engaged in computer-assisted reporting, these laws are a key tool. Often, the only way to get an important government database is through a freedom of information request.
The requirements [...]
Provisions in federal and provincial access legislation affecting access to electronic records vary. This page provides a brief summary of provisions in each Canadian jurisdiction:
The federal Access to Information Act makes no distinction between electronic and paper records. Access is restricted to Canadian citizens.
The Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act includes [...]
 Links to federal and provincial sites providing information on the different access statues, along with links to the acts themselves. These are usually good places to start when you are researching how and to whom to make a request.
Federal government:
The central FOIÂ site for the federal government is maintained by the Treasury Board Secretariat. Here, you [...]