News August 9, 2021

New CFE Report: It’s Time for Change! 206 Recommendations for Reforms to Canada’s Access to Information Act

Canada’s Access to Information Act was adopted more than 35 years ago and has aged badly. Despite numerous calls for substantial reforms to the legislation, many formal reviews and consultations, and various amendments to the Act, changes have been little more than cosmetic. As a result, Canadians have been denied the access to information so important for a healthy democracy.

In “It’s Time for Change”, Stanley L. Tromp presents a comprehensive compilation of recommendations for reform of Canada’s Access to Information Act based on best practices elsewhere, advice of Canadian information commissioners, and access policy experts and frequent users, and suggestions for reform by civil society groups.

“Stan Tromp provides an invaluable resource for anyone wanting greater transparency and strengthening the public’s right to information in Canada,” said James L. Turk, Director of the Centre for Free Expression.

A copy of the report is available here.

Blog March 26, 2024

Ontario Government Agency Imposing Corporate Secrecy Practices on the Public

Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx, both provincial mega-agencies using, exclusively, public-private infrastructure partnerships, have imposed a requirement on the public that is supposedly being served, according to a Toronto Star article (March 19). That is, any community member that wants to participate in the ‘consultations’ regarding the expropriation and tearing down of the local Riverdale Plaza (one of the many sites designated by the province as a future ‘transit-oriented community’, known by locals as ‘developer-oriented transit’) needs to sign a “non-disclosure” agreement.

Mariana Valverde

Censorship, Access-to-Information

Policy Submission February 9, 2024

CFE Closing Submission to the Foreign Interference Commission

CFE urged the Commission to act on the testimony of expert panels and witnesses that there is an immense public interest in transparency regarding foreign interference. "The Commission cannot defer to the Government of Canada’s conclusions on what can and cannot be disclosed [but must] be prepared to seek recourse in Federal Court on an expedited basis" in the event the Government attempts to overly restrict public access to essential documents about foreign interference.

Access-to-Information, Freedom of the Press

Policy Submission February 1, 2024

CFE Opening Submission to the Foreign Interference Commission

In its opening submission, the CFE addresses principles for public confidence, the necessity of on transparency throughout the Inquiry, and the importance of the public’s right to know.

Freedom of the Press, Access-to-Information