Editor's note: Contrast this news with the Premier's own message on Open Government here.

By Jonathan.Fowlie 17 Mar 2011 Capital Diary.

Premier Christy Clark's move towards open government took an ironic twist this week.

On Monday, in one of her first acts as premier, Clark signed an order exempting the Cabinet Committee on Open Government and Engagement from the province's Freedom of Information Act.

The move means members of the public, Opposition and media will not be able to access deliberations of the committee by way of requests through the legislation.

It is common and expected for cabinet committees to be exempted in this way, and Clark did so for others including: the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth; the Cabinet Committee on Families First; and the Priorities and Planning Committee.

Nevertheless, the move was deeply ironic and definitely worth a note.

For those interested, the Cabinet Committee on Open Government and Engagement comprises:

Stephanie Cadieux (Chair)
Blair Lekstrom (Vice Chair)
Ida Chong
Gordon Hogg
Kevin Krueger
Richard Lee
Don McRae
John Slater
Naomi Yamamoto