Mississauga Needs To Improve Access To Information
By Mohammed Ayub Khan
Cities around the world are improving access to vital information by compiling the relevant data in a citizen friendly format. From potholes and parking violations to crime and employment salaries– everything is now available online in easy to use format. The City of Mississauga has made some strides in this regard but falls to short of its reputation as a modern city. A citizen’s ability to receive important municipal information is as dim as the city hall’s corridors.
In the past several years I have had little success in accessing information on how the city and region’s data. First, I tried to get the data on the number of students who are enrolled in the foreign language programs which are run by the Peel District School Board. Despite several emails from the School Trustee to the Superintendent, I had no success in getting the numbers. Instead, I was made to run from pillar to post. This information is necessary to measure the success or failure of this program but it appears that this is of little concern to the authorities.
Similarly, I tried to get information on parking violations issued near places of worship. There was no response from the city. My particular interest in this area was sparked by the alleged discriminatory parking restrictions which have been put in place on Finfar Ct., near a mosque. City officials claimed that they received several complaints from local businesses advocating such a restriction. My repeated requests to reveal the number and nature of such complaints were once again ignored.
The above were just too personal examples. Mississauga lags behind other cities like Chicago which have made access to information easier. In today’s data driven world information should be easily available to citizens. It will greatly help in policy making and measuring performance. Apart from making some vague assertions of improving transparency none of the municipal candidates have made ‘open data’ their priority. Will the new Mayor and Council shine the light and liberate the data or would the City Hall continue to languish in the shadows of its past?
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