Miscellaneous

Claim: “Backgrounder: City of Toronto 2020-2021 winter plan for people experiencing homelessness,” dated October 6, 2020.

factchecktoronto

FACT: The City of Toronto retroactively changes data in items posted on its “News Releases and Media Advisories” page without providing any indication that it has done so. 

This October 6, 2020 Backgrounder was originally published on October 6th,1 but was then modified on November 29th and critical data was changed without any indication that the document had been updated.2 A news release from the same day was not updated and now contradicts the updated backgrounder.3 

When we asked the City for information about its protocols for managing News Releases and Media Advisories posts, we were informed that they update the City website regularly, “including on the City’s Media Room page, to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date” and that they “may issue a new or revised news release or post the update on our social media channels.” This is only done, they said, if “significant new information or inaccurate information that was previously issued in a news release needs to be re-communicated or corrected with the public.” 4 

Quote – News releases are public statements that the government provides about its activities. They become important public records for people, including researchers, media and the general public, which document what the City is doing and has done. If the City retroactively makes changes to these documents – especially without any indication that it has done so–it is changing the public record and effectively rewriting history. 

The City states that, “in the future… [it] will explore including information on the City’s Media Room page to indicate when content has been updated.” 5

Email correspondence: A.J. Withers to Media Relations: Hi, These are my specific questions: 1. What are the general guidelines with respect to changing/correcting/updating press releases and backgrounders posted at/to https://www.toronto.ca/news? 2. If these documents are ever changed, is the public notified of this (e.g. with an "updated on" notification and new date)? 3. If there are changes to these documents, is a record kept by your office of them? Thank you, Dr. A.J. Withers. Media Relations to A.J. Withers: A.J. We will need to follow up with you next week on this. Thank you. Deborah Blackstone for media@toronto.ca Media Relations to A.J. Withers: Hi Dr. A.J. Withers, Thank you for your email. Regarding Toronto.ca, the City of Toronto regularly updates information online, including on the City’s Media Room page, to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date. If significant new information or inaccurate information that was previously issued in a news release needs to be re-communicated or corrected with the public, the City evaluates the information and may issue a new or revised news release or post the update on our social media channels. The City’s website content management system maintains a record (timestamp) of the date and time when content on the City’s media room page was posted or updated and details of the user who posted or made the update. In future, the City’s Strategic Public & Employee Communications Division will explore including information on the City’s Media Room page to indicate when content has been updated. Kind regards, Susan

Notes:

City Source: October 6, 2020, Backgrounder: City of Toronto 2020-2021 winter plan for people experiencing homelessness. 

  1. Original version of October 6, 2020, Backgrounder: City of Toronto 2020-2021 winter plan for people experiencing homelessness. 
  2. October 6, 2020, Backgrounder: City of Toronto 2020-2021 winter plan for people experiencing homelessness (See “Page info” in your browser to see record of page modification.)
  3. October 6, 2020 News Release: Toronto’s 2020-2021 winter plan for people experiencing homelessness includes more spaces and enhanced street outreach. 
  4. Email communication, December 18, 2020.
  5. Email communication, December 18, 2020.