In an effort to prevent federal censorship of public records, the Commons access to information committee is requesting Ottawa to conduct a system overhaul so that Canadians can obtain the information they need to hold the government to account.
As first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter, the committee says Canada’s access to information system “continues to have flaws” and that the federal government needs to conduct a “comprehensive review and overhaul” of it.
“Most witnesses confirmed that an effective access to information system is essential in a modern democracy. Many of the witnesses also believe that the current system is inadequate. Two witnesses indicated that the status quo is unacceptable,” said the committee in its report, titled “The State of Canada’s Access to Information System,” submitted to the House of Commons on June 20….