By Canadian Press

Feds opt to focus on making access-to-info law work better amid calls for reforms

Dec 22, 2022 | 1:18 PM

OTTAWA — The federal government says departments will focus on making the access-to-information system work better amid calls for fundamental changes to the transparency law.

The Access to Information Act allows people to request government documents, from internal emails to research reports, for a $5 fee — but it is widely considered to be outdated and poorly administered.

The law has not been fully overhauled since its introduction almost 40 years ago, and many users complain of lengthy delays, heavily blacked-out documents or blanket denials in response to their applications.

The Treasury Board Secretariat says many of the most pressing challenges facing the system do not require legislative change, and departments will focus on improving the regime in the near term.

Civil society groups, journalists and members of the public who participated in a recent review of the regime called for expansion of the law, removal of loopholes, stricter timelines for responses and more resources to make the system work.

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Treasury Board President Mona Fortier presented a report from the review to Parliament this month that pointed out areas of concern but made no concrete recommendations for change.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 22, 2022.

The Canadian Press