Proactive disclosure is the act of releasing information before it is requested. In Canada, this refers to an environment where information is released routinely through electronic means with the exception of information that the government is required to protect due to privacy risks. This could refer to information regarding citizens' social insurance numbers or military operations.
Proactive disclosure differs from reactive disclosure, as reactive disclosure occurs when a request is made, while proactive disclosure occurs without the filing of the request. Proactive disclosure has also been referred to as stealing thunder, active disclosure in the United States and suo moto disclosure in Latin which means upon its own initiative.
History
The earliest way information was disclosed was seen in ancient Greece through criers or bellmen. Criers were hired in medieval times to walk the streets and call for attention, then read out important news such as royal proclamations or local bylaws. They would also play a role in passing the information across villages. This role changed when newspapers, radios, television and the internet became innovative parts of society.
Governments
Within the government, proactive disclosure is meant to inform citizens of information that allows them to hold the government accountable. Information that puts private or public good in harm's way is not disclosed. This term is used frequently when discussing open government, meaning information is easily available to the public and at a regular basis due to the benefit of technology on disseminating information.
Many consider proactive disclosure and the ability to have access to information as a way to watch over those in power within society. This is especially true for governments who collect a wide range of information, which citizens often use to hold the government accountable.
Transparency and proactive disclosure are often associated in terms of creating open government.
Canada
In the case of Canada, the government has specific measures under the Treasury Board of Canada that they proactively disclose data in order to highlight transparency and allow for the board to oversee public resources in the federal government.
However, all information released under proactive disclosure must be held under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act, with any information that is normally withheld under those acts not being disclosed on the website.
The Canadian government has also made promises to be open by default with proactive disclosure in their Open Government Partnership (OGP) Third Action Plan
The open by default principle not only provides Canadians with proactive information release, but is also meant to improve efficiency for requests for information or the ability to gain information such as personal details about themselves. One of the key focuses is placed on the streamlining and increased progress on departments proactively disclosing information on spending and human resources online. The Government of Canada believes the proactive disclosure of information and self-service tools will strengthen the type of data being released.
For instance, they have to disclose financial resources within departments such as travel expenses and human resource material, and allow this information to be available on the department websites. This means that the department is more easily monitored by the body in power, as well as citizens. The three things that must be published are the travel and hospitality expenses of specific government officials, contracts over $10,000 and when positions are reclassified.
History in Canada
Proactive disclosure came into Canada in 2004 when it came to disclosing information on contracts over $10,000 and position reclassification, with grants and contributions being under the proactive disclosure policy since 2005. The Treasury Board of Canada discloses and observes these policies.
The Canadian system was put in place in a way that allows for digital record management and could be a step towards a full proactive disclosure model at the federal level. There is an ongoing review of the Access to Information Act and full proactive disclosure in the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada.
The use of proactive disclosure at the federal level is seen within Natural Resources Canada, which has three web portals releasing raw data on subjects such as road networks, electoral boundaries, and topographic maps.