Health authorities in Calgary and Edmonton are making it easier for diners to find out why particular restaurants were closed by health inspectors.

The Calgary Health Region started posting closure notices on its website this week.

In Edmonton, the local health authority announced Thursday that staff will provide diners with information about restaurant inspections over the phone starting Dec. 1.

"We do work on behalf of the public, we're paid by public dollars and I think they have a significant interest in knowing [if] these facilities [are] safe," said Robert Bradbury, director of health protection at the Calgary Health Region.

"We're only too pleased to make that information available to them as we can."

Follows auditor general's recommendations

The charges are a step toward fulfilling an October recommendation by provincial Auditor General Fred Dunn that health regions publish restaurant inspection reports, said Dr. Gerald Predy, Edmonton's chief medical officer of health.

The long-term goal is to "work with other health authorities to come up with a system across the province that is consistent," he said.

Until recently, aside from notices posted on doors of closed establishments in Calgary, information was only available in person at the Calgary Health Region's office.

In Edmonton, such reports had only been available through access to information requests.

Calgary residents and restaurant owners will be consulted in the new year about whether more information should be put up on the website, Bradbury said, including the results of the five most recent inspections.

Capital Health also plans to consult with the industry on Dunn's recommendations.