How can I find out more about government?
Read the Statements published by public
authorities in the newspapers and in the Trinidad and Tobago
gazette. These are usually one to three pages long and will
give information about the public authority and the types
of documents it holds.
Fill out and submit the Freedom of Information Request for Access to Official
Document(s) form if you would like to see an official
document held by a public authority. You may only apply
for access to documents that are not already in the public
domain (readily available to members of the public). You
can copy the form from the last page of the Act, or ask
for one from any public authority.
What do I need to know about the Act?
The Freedom of Information Act of 1999
(FOIA) was assented to on November 4, 1999. It came into
effect on February 20, 2001.
The Act is designed in support of the
following tenets of governance:
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Equality of Access
- Empowerment and Increased Participation
more...
Why should I care?
We all have the right to know about how
government works and what it is doing. The Freedom of Information
Act was created to help any member of the public find out
more about government.
All individuals are considered members
of the public and the Act now makes it easier than before
for each of us to get information about any government office,
and to actually see many of its documents and records.
Who does the Act affect?
The Freedom of Information Act can be
useful for all members of the public. A member of the public
is an individual of any age or nationality, and can be a
non-resident of Trinidad and Tobago.
Since the Act is concerned with government
information and documents, it also affects public authorities directly.
The Freedom of Information Unit was created
to support both public authorities and members of the public.
If you have any questions, complaints or suggestions about
the Freedom of Information Act you may contact
the Unit.
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