Thursday, January 1, 2026
ADVT 
National

Information watchdog slams RCMP on access failures

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Nov, 2020 06:44 PM
  • Information watchdog slams RCMP on access failures

The federal information commissioner is blasting Public Safety Minister Bill Blair and the RCMP for what she suggests is a complete disregard for transparency and accountability.

The assessment comes in a new report in which Caroline Maynard takes the Mounties to task for failing to address long-standing issues in the handling of access-to-information requests.

That includes a growing backlog of requests for information from Canadians, as well problems with handling such requests properly.

Maynard also criticizes Blair and the federal Liberal government for seemingly not taking the issue seriously and providing the necessary leadership to address the problem.

The report today is only the latest from the commissioner to chide federal departments for failing to uphold the Canadian public's right to government information.

The Liberals first promised during the 2015 federal election to strengthen Canada's access-to-information regime, but Maynard has said complaints about the system have been increasing.

MORE National ARTICLES

Feds, Alberta sign child-care deal

Feds, Alberta sign child-care deal
For Alberta, the one-year deal will mean more than $45 million this fiscal year to create new licensed child-care spaces through capital and program grants and subsidies for more lower-income families.

Feds, Alberta sign child-care deal

Search for N.S. fugitive into third day

Search for N.S. fugitive into third day
RCMP say they continue to get reports of sightings of Tobias Charles Doucette, the fugitive accused of stabbing a police sergeant, assaulting a woman and injuring a police dog, as the manhunt for him enters its third day.

Search for N.S. fugitive into third day

Chief of defence staff announces retirement

Chief of defence staff announces retirement
Gen. Jonathan Vance, who led the military through a major pivot after the war in Afghanistan, announced Wednesday he is stepping down as chief of the defence staff.

Chief of defence staff announces retirement

COVID-19 tracing app starts beta testing

COVID-19 tracing app starts beta testing
A Canadian smartphone app meant to warn users if they've been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 is now in beta testing.

COVID-19 tracing app starts beta testing

Outbreaks leading to stigmatization: Hutterite minister

Outbreaks leading to stigmatization: Hutterite minister
A Manitoba Hutterite minister is telling the province to stop identifying colonies where members have tested positive for COVID-19 because it is leading to stigmatization.

Outbreaks leading to stigmatization: Hutterite minister

Review of RCMP needed: Indigenous leaders

Review of RCMP needed: Indigenous leaders
First Nations and Inuit leaders are urging Ottawa to launch an independent, civilian review of RCMP practices to start addressing the number of violent incidents between Mounties and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Review of RCMP needed: Indigenous leaders