12°c Light drizzle
17°c Mainly cloudy
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Information commissioner reveals details on review of Access to Information Act
Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault, in Ottawa on May 31, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Related Items
VANCOUVER - The country's information commissioner is providing more details about her review of a federal law that allows citizens to access government documents.
Suzanne Legault, information commissioner of Canada, told a conference in Vancouver Wednesday that her review of the Access to Information Act will begin next week, will run mainly through her office's website and end on Dec. 21, before a report to Parliament is presented next year.
Since July 7, 1982 when it received royal assent, the act has never been overhauled but has had a few minor amendments.
"It used to be that my predecessors would be asked to attend international conferences in other jurisdictions to basically explain the great system that we had in Canada and, you know, what people should be doing in their own development of their own access regimes," she told the conference.
"Since I have been commissioner, when I am invited, I am invited to tell people what not to do."
Legault, who noted she has been forced to reduce her staff by 11 per cent next year because of budget cuts, said the review is necessary because the act is almost 30 years old and does not include a mandatory provision for review.
To keep pace with technological and international developments and to remain relevant, the act must evolve, she said.
She said she'll consult with experts, key stakeholders and average Canadians, draw on comparative research, as well as past reform efforts.
The review will focus on such issues as delays, exemptions, exclusions, roles and powers of her office and records and management, she said.
When she first announced the review in early July, Legault said she'll examine parallel laws and information regimes in Britain, the United States, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia for innovations.
Legault said Wednesday she will present a report to Parliament next year, coinciding with the act's 30th anniversary.
"The only thing that I can do is basically engage in a dialogue with stakeholders and have these submissions publicly available on a website, and then make recommendations to government as it is my job to do, and then hopefully some of this will be picked up," she said after her lecture.
Under the law, any person in Canada can request documents and other material under the control of a federal department or agency for a $5 application fee, plus any additional charges for photocopies or processing.
In June, a Halifax-based group ranked Canada 51st in the world on a list of freedom-of-information rankings, behind Angola, Colombia and Niger. Users have complained that Canada's system is rife with long delays, excessive redactions and few penalties for bad performance.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
05/21/2013 10:02 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Polar bear webcam captures live images of Hudson Bay migration in Canada
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Afghan army gives donated rifles back to Canada in favour of U.S. weapons
- Alberta recruiting hundreds of staff for giant new Edmonton Remand Centre
- Former NHLer Keith Primeau believes helmet device can cut down on concussions
- Accountable self-government long term goal for aboriginal communities: Harper
- Alaska woman, 85, uses shovel to fend off agitated moose attacking her husband
- Shafia, guilty of murder, literally washed his hands of his daughters
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Military ombudsman appeals to defence chief over home-equity losses
- Sens-Habs series gets ugly:Eric Gryba suspended two games for Lars Eller hit
- Actress Sophie Turner drops hints on 'Game of Thrones' season 3
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.