Last week I received an email from the Information Commissioner of Canada who, in collaboration with her provincial and territorial counterparts, has announced the creation of the Grace-Pépin Access to Information Award. If you know someone you think might be deserving of nomination there are more details here, including access to the nomination document.

Below is a blurb the office sent me promoting what I believe is a noteworthy award.

Do you take any opportunity to promote access to information? Do you spend your free time developing tools that facilitate access to information? Do you regularly ask for information under the Access to Information Act? Do your activities require public institutions to comply with policies that optimize transparency? Or, do you know someone who fits the above description?

If you answered yes to one of these questions, if you are involved in any other activities that promote access to information and increase government transparency and accountability, or if you know someone who does, Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial Access to Information and Privacy Commissioners want to recognize these efforts and invite you to submit a nomination to the first-ever Grace-Pépin Access to Information Award!

The Grace-Pépin Award was introduced on September 29 by the federal, provincial and territorial Access to Information and Privacy Commissioners. Presented in memory of John Grace, former Information Commissioner of Canada, and Marcel Pépin, president and founder of the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec, the award recognizes those who promote access to information principles in Canada.

For more information on the Grace-Pépin Access to Information Award, visit the section about the award on the official Right to Know Web site.