Government & Corporate Transparency
The Issue
Canadians’ right of access to information held by governments and public agencies is embarrassingly inadequate. Internationally, the quality of our access to information law ranks 59th out of 102 countries. The implementation of the law makes matters even worse – often imposing excessive delays, high costs, and significant censorship. Even more limited is the public’s right of access to information about the decisions and practices of the corporate sector that increasingly shape every aspect of our lives.
Why It Matters
Healthy democracy depends on an informed public with ready access to the information it needs to engage in effective political decision-making.
Our Work
The Centre for Free Expression works to promote greater government and corporate transparency through public education and advocacy for better right to know laws and practices.
Resources
CFE Virtual Forum Series: Platforms of Distortion – Can They Be Fixed?
Digital platforms are perfect delivery systems for gossip and entertainment. Unfortunately they now distribute most of our news.
CFE Virtual Forum Series: Pandemics and Civil Liberties
The coronavirus poses a threat to our individual and collective future. As governments attempt to deal with the pandemic, they face apparent trade-offs between collective wellbeing and individual human rights and civil liberties.
How is the public to know? When regulators lose sight of their public role
Are Canadian regulatory agencies allowing themselves to be captured by those they regulate – Health Canada by drug companies, Transport Canada by the airlines and railways?
Police Surveillance and Civil Liberties
The growing number of police technologies may serve legitimate police purposes but raise serious questions about civil liberties and privacy.
WARNING! How the Secrets of Body Care and Cleaning Products Impact You Health
Chemicals in personal care and cleaning products you use regularly have been linked to fertility problems, birth defects, cancer, asthma and respiratory disorders, and hormone disruption.
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