I was living in Halifax when the major daily newspaper there took the province to task over its refusal to publish food-inspection reports.

Diners had no way to find out whether their prospective restaurant was squeaky clean, or a chronic offender of health and safety practices.

At the time, I was studying journalism. In class, we examined the series of articles by the Chronicle Herald and their impact. For a wide-eyed student, they presented an inspiring demonstration of the power of media. The series was also a lesson about the tension between the publicB次元官网网址檚 right to know and the desire by private businesses to be just that B次元官网网址� private.

I graduated and moved away before the Nova Scotia government folded to public pressure in 2008. But the same issue followed me to Alberta, where I took my first job as a reporter for the Drayton Valley Western Review.

In my new province, the Edmonton Journal published a similar series, which also prompted the government to publish food-facility inspection reports.

Again, I caught the controversy, but missed the policy change by moving to Victoria, where I took a job with Black Press.

Here in B.C., inspection reports are published to the website of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Both the cautious and the curious are free to nose around. Through a few clicks, anyone can learn that in May, DennyB次元官网网址檚 Restaurant received a moderate hazard rating and instructions to thoroughly clean its whole kitchen. (The business has since complied, restoring its good rating.)

Also available are all the very minor violations discovered by inspectors at hundreds of food facilities during routine inspections. For instance, during its initial inspection, the new Marzano Pizza learned it needs to mount its paper towels behind the sink. This level of minutiae hardly makes for good reading, but for me the frequency and detail of the reports are comforting. I donB次元官网网址檛 look them up before eating out, but knowing the reports are available for public scrutiny gives me the confidence that I donB次元官网网址檛 need to.

All this is a long-winded way to introduce VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Harbour Airport.

At a recent City of Victoria council meeting, my jaw dropped when I heard overseers of the airport address the issue of transparency.

In a nutshell, Transport Canada B次元官网网址渏ust doesnB次元官网网址檛 do that.B次元官网网址�

Annual reports, outlining risk assessments, complaints and investigations arenB次元官网网址檛 published.

B次元官网网址淲here would they go?B次元官网网址� asked a seemingly befuddled port manager.

B次元官网网址淥n your website,B次元官网网址� shot back an obviously exasperated Coun. Pam Madoff.

The contentious exchange left me feeling embarrassed at my own oversight. Never had I pressed for the documents, even as public concern mounted over the impact of a new marina on the harbour airport.

During his presentation, the port manager assured city council that Transport CanadaB次元官网网址檚 safety procedures are top-notch.

I say the proof is in the pudding.

The government already agrees itB次元官网网址檚 my right to know that Green Cuisine must dish its ice cream differently to avoid contamination. Surely, the stakes are higher when it comes to flying.

IB次元官网网址檇 like to know for myself, rather than trust the authorities, that my float plane has passed all its inspections with flying colours and that the runways are adequately wide and clear.

Now, IB次元官网网址檓 moving on in my career again. But this time, my new job will keep me in Victoria.

As the new talk show producer for C-FAX, I hope to help bring some hard questions about the airport to the airwaves.

ItB次元官网网址檚 been a great five years with Black Press. Thanks to all my colleagues, fans and critics. IB次元官网网址檝e learned a lot from all of you.

Roszan Holmen is a reporter with the Victoria B次元官网网址.

editor@vicnews.com