Thursday, July 17, 2025
ADVT 
National

Transparency advocates call for independent review of Access to Information Act

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Jun, 2025 01:25 PM
  • Transparency advocates call for independent review of Access to Information Act

Transparency advocates say a coming federal review of the Access to Information Act should be overseen by an independent panel, not the government, to avoid the pitfalls of the last such exercise.

In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, civil society groups, academics and others call for a genuine and timely examination of the access law.

The next federal review of the Access to Information regime is set to begin soon.

For a $5 fee, people can use the access law to ask for a range of federal documents — from internal emails to policy memos — but it the law has long been criticized as out of date and poorly administered.

The law has not been overhauled since its introduction more than 40 years ago and many users complain of lengthy delays and report getting heavily blacked-out documents or full denials in response to their applications.

On the federal election trail in April, Carney committed to an "objective reviewof the system, saying it would serve Canadians well.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

MORE National ARTICLES

Many Canadians losing confidence in future of trade relationship with U.S.: Poll

Many Canadians losing confidence in future of trade relationship with U.S.: Poll
Almost two in five Canadians say recent court rulings in the U.S., and the ongoing legal battle over President Donald Trump’s tariffs, have made them feel less confident in the future of trade relations, a new poll suggests.

Many Canadians losing confidence in future of trade relationship with U.S.: Poll

Southern B.C. set to bake under 'early season heat event'

Southern B.C. set to bake under 'early season heat event'
Environment Canada is warning of an "early season heat event" bringing elevated temperatures to most of southern British Columbia that will persist from Saturday into early next week.

Southern B.C. set to bake under 'early season heat event'

Urgent sink hole repair closes Coquihalla Highway northbound from Hope to Merritt

Urgent sink hole repair closes Coquihalla Highway northbound from Hope to Merritt
A major highway in the British Columbia Interior has been partially closed due to "urgent sink hole repairs."

Urgent sink hole repair closes Coquihalla Highway northbound from Hope to Merritt

Man arrested after car rams Vancouver arena during Cirque du Soleil show

Man arrested after car rams Vancouver arena during Cirque du Soleil show
Vancouver police say it's a "miracle" no one was injured after a vehicle was rammed into the Pacific Coliseum arena during a Cirque du Soleil show late Thursday.

Man arrested after car rams Vancouver arena during Cirque du Soleil show

U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra says Canada's economic hopes align with Trump's goals

U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra says Canada's economic hopes align with Trump's goals
The American ambassador to Canada says U.S. President Donald Trump's goal of enhancing American power aligns with Ottawa's aim of becoming the fastest-growing G7 economy.

U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra says Canada's economic hopes align with Trump's goals

New federal bill aims to improve labour mobility, eliminate internal trade barriers

New federal bill aims to improve labour mobility, eliminate internal trade barriers
The Liberal government has introduced legislation aimed at cutting down barriers to internal trade by recognizing provincial and territorial rules at the federal level.

New federal bill aims to improve labour mobility, eliminate internal trade barriers