{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252{\fonttbl{\f0\fbidis\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fbidis\froman\fcharset0 Cambria;}{\f2\fbidis\froman\fcharset0 Cambria;}}{\stylesheet{\fs22\f2\sqformat\spriority1 Normal}{\s1\li105\f2\fs24\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 Body Text}{\s2\li105\outlinelevel0\f1\fs28\b1\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 Heading 1}{\s3\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 List Paragraph}{\s4\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 Table Paragraph}}\jexpand\dntblnsbdb\viewkind1\noxlattoyen\nospaceforul\useltbaln\paperw12240\paperh15840\margl1700\margr1680\margt1360\margb280\noindnmbrts\sectd\sbknone\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li108\ri116\qc\sl240\slmult1\sb83\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Brief from Dean Beeby submitted to Treasury Board Secretariat for\f1\expnd-12\expndtw-60\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 its\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 consultation\f1\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 on\f1\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f1\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Access\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Act\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 review\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb11\f1\fs27\b1\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li108\ri114\qc\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 May\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 27,\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 2021\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri155\sl240\slmult1\sb286\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The Access to Information Act (ATIA) and its administration have been significantly\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 critiqued more than a dozen times since the law came into force in 1983. These in-\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 depth analyses have been carried out by information commissioners, a government-\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 appointed task force, Parliamentary committees and the government itself, among\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 others. They each have identified the same basic weaknesses, proposed similar\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 solutions, and they each have been\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 largely ignored. So it\'92s\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 with\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 a\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 sense\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 resignation that I submit yet another account of the Act\'92s weaknesses, and yet\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 another assessment of failures in its administration. Governments, chronically\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 allergic to transparency, appear to welcome these repeated exercises as yet another\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 opportunity to delay and dodge. The review process becomes a reset button rather\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 than a diligent re-assessment of problems and solutions identified over the last 38\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 years.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri101\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Treasury Board\'92s latest review is legislatively driven. Bill C-58, which received Royal\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Assent in June 2019, requires a review of the legislation within one year but is silent\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 on a deadline for a report or action. Treasury Board officially announced the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 mandatory\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 review\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 just days\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 before the one-year\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 period\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 was\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 expire.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb11\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri192\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Since the so-called \'93launch\'94 of the review on June 18, 2020, Treasury Board has\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 taken an inordinate amount of time to act (despite a year\'92s notice that a review was\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 required). A public-consultation process was promised at the \'93launch.\'94 That\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 promise was repeated Sept. 22, 2020. Treasury Board finally announced an actual\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public consultation (i.e., an online process) on March 31, 2021, nine months after\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the \'93launch.\'94 Treasury Board has also said its report for the review, which is not the\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 end of the process but only the middle, will not appear until January 2022. The\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 languid pace mirrors the delay-plagued Access to Information process itself, and\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 suggests\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reform\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 is once again a low government priority.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb11\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri124\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Treasury Board\'92s consultation webpage contains a facile list of \'93issues\'94 on which the\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government is seeking public input. For example: \'93Tell us your thoughts on the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 process of submitting an access to information request \'96 what works and what\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 doesn\'92t?\'94 The open-ended, unfocused invitation suggests a check-the-box exercise\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 rather than informed dialogue. Surely a government intent on fixing the problem\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 could\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 find more probing\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 questions after a\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 year of\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 preparation?\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb10\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri349\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 I am a long-serving journalist (The Canadian Press, 31 years; CBC, 5 years), so the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 observations and recommendations that follow arise from the day-to-day\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 experience of a working reporter. I also recognize and support the legitimate\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 interests of other types of requesters, including Indigenous peoples, human-rights\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 advocates\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and environmental\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 NGOs. Indeed, there\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 is no\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 conflict\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 between their\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri120\sl240\slmult1\sb88\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 demands and my own \'96 we are all united in seeking a truly open federal government\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 that responds with alacrity to information requests from all its citizens. The current\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 prime\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 minister\f2\expnd1\expndtw3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 recognized\f2\expnd1\expndtw4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 this\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 aspiration\f2\expnd1\expndtw3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 when\f2\expnd1\expndtw5\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 he\f2\expnd1\expndtw3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 said\f2\expnd1\expndtw4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government\f2\expnd1\expndtw3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 should\f2\expnd1\expndtw3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'93open\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 by\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 default.\'94\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb11\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri230\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The federal Access to Information Act chronically fails to deliver timely responses,\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 especially in areas vital to public discourse, such as health and safety information.\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Journalists routinely wait months and years for responses to simple requests,\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 responses that are often so heavily redacted as to be meaningless. The most recent\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Treasury Board statistics (2019-2020) show that one-third of responses now are in\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'93deemed refusal,\'94 that is either delivered beyond the 30-day deadline in the Act or\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 delivered after the extension date an institution has unilaterally given itself. The\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 number of \'93deemed refusals\'94 has increased year after year, with no sanctions or\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 penalties imposed on institutions that violate the law in this way. (The inadequate\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 method used by Treasury Board to collect statistics on \'93deemed refusals\'94 under-\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 counts the true numbers, so the extent of unjustified delays is actually worse than\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 officially reported.) For journalists responsible for informing Canadians about\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 current events, these delays are often fatal to their work. Stale information about\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 long-ago government actions often makes it impossible to avoid or fix problems\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 with policy, programs\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 or spending.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri305\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Complaints to the Information Commissioner of Canada (ICC) are also subject to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 enormous delays, as that office struggles with a growing backlog. There are too\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 many documented cases in which the ICC has not reported findings on a complaint\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 until 10 years or more after it was made. Journalists routinely must wait nine\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 months and more for an ICC investigation to conclude. The office remains\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 understaffed\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and,\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 equally\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 concerning,\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 not\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 subject\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 any\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 legislated\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 deadlines\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 its\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 investigations.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri192\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The records journalists do receive are often blacked out based on spurious claims\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 that\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 they\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'93advice,\'94\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 security-related\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 or\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 based\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 on\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 other\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 too-broad exemptions\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 exclusions in the Act. The government\'92s claim to be \'93open by default\'94 has become a\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 cruel joke in the journalism profession. Every day, reporters in the news trenches\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are reminded that government information is \'93secret by default,\'94 especially during\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 COVID-19 health emergency.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri815\sl237\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Here then is a checklist of fundamental flaws in the existing legislation and its\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 administration,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and the remedies:\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Cabinet\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 confidences\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (Section\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 69)\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri307\sl240\slmult1\sb286\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Section 69 of the Act protects \'93cabinet confidences\'94 for 20 years by\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 excluding them from the reach of the legislation, and from the investigative\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 authority of the Information Commissioner of Canada. This loophole has long been\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 exploited\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 by\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government,\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 with\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 increasing\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 regularity,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 as\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 a\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 safe\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 refuge.\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 For\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 example,\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri171\sl240\slmult1\sb88\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Section 69 was invoked 4,660 times in 2018-2019, a level that is 50 per cent higher\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 than five years earlier. A declaration by government that a requested record is a\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 cabinet confidence is unassailable. The ICC cannot challenge the claim, cannot even\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 inspect the records. The cards are thus stacked against requestors. Many journalists\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are resigned to restricting their requests only to those records not considered\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 cabinet\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 confidences,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 order to\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 expedite\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 processing.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb10\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri134\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Decision- and policy-making by cabinet is at the core of Canada\'92s federal\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government. Cabinet cannot remain a black box if \'93open by default\'94 is to have any\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 meaning. Cabinet records must shed their umbrella protection from the Act, and be\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 made subject to requests and to complaint investigations by the ICC. The\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government could still invoke the existing exemption clauses in the Act to protect\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 cabinet information, but should no longer enjoy a free pass from legally justifying its\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 decisions\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 withhold.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb232\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Advice\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (Section\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 21)\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs28\b1\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri150\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : The notorious Section 21, the \'93advice\'94 exemption of the Act, has been\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 abused for decades. The exemption has been invoked repeatedly to withhold public-\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 opinion surveys, economic forecasts, background information and other records\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 that by no stretch can be construed as \'93advice.\'94 As in Section 69, too many public\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 officials regard the exemption as a handy catch-all, which can protect from scrutiny\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the ordinary conduct of government. Section 21 was cited more than 8,700 times in\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 2019-2020 to justify withholding records from requestors, and the exemption is\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 cited\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 about one\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 third\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of all the complaints\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 received by\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ICC.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb2\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri156\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Abuse of Section 21 must be curtailed with more explicit language in the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 legislation defining what can and cannot be withheld. The list of record types\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 impervious to redaction must include factual materials, such as background papers,\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 surveys of opinion, economic data, databases, chronologies, inventories and the like.\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Where the narrower protection for genuine \'93advice\'94 is legitimately invoked, the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Section 21\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 limit its\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 applicability\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to no\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 more than five\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 years\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 after the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 record\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 was created, and no protection at all in a case of overriding public interest such as a\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 health,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 environmental or\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 safety threat.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb229\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Ministers\'92\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 offices\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri291\sl240\slmult1\sb286\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : In the 2015 election campaign, the current prime minister promised to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'93ensure that Access to Information applies to the Prime Minister\'92s and Ministers\'92\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Offices.\'94 Bill C-58, which purportedly enacted this commitment, in fact did no such\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 thing. Rather, the government established a proactive release schedule that\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 comprised only a subset of records related to ministers\'92 work. Indeed, almost all of\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 these\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 now\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 proactively\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 released\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 records\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (briefing\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 note\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 titles,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 briefing\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 books\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri316\sl240\slmult1\sb88\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Question Period notes, for example), had never been classified as ministerial office\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 documents, and had already been accessible under the Access to Information Act.\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Bill C-58 also prevented the Information Commissioner of Canada from\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 investigating failures and lapses in this proactive-release regime, thus carving out\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 another\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 safe space for unchallenged decisions and behavior\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 by the government.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb8\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri230\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : The remedy for this failure is simple: close the loophole. The government\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must fulfill its clear promise to Canadians to make ministers\'92 offices, including the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 prime minister\'92s office, subject to requests under the Access to Information Act. By\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 doing so, the Information Commissioner of Canada will also be authorized to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 investigate complaints.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb233\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Public\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 interest\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 override\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri277\sl240\slmult1\sb286\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : The Access to Information Act has weak public-interest override\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 provisions, unlike most parallel legislation in Canada\'92s provinces and indeed\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 elsewhere in the world. COVID-19 has reminded Canadians how dependent their\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 health and safety is on timely access to uncensored government information about\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 life-threatening risks. Some jurisdictions compel public bodies to release such\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 information even in the absence of specific requests for it from the public or news\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 media. Conflicts between government confidentiality and imminent public threats\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 always\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 resolve\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 favour\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 safety.\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 And\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 yet,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Act\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 as\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 currently\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 written\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 defaults\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'93just\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 trust\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 us.\'94\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb11\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri333\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : The Act requires a general public-interest override clause that compels\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public institutions to disclose information about significant risks to safety, health\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and the environment, notwithstanding any other exemption or exclusion available\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 legislation.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb231\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Powers\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Commissioner\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canada\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f1\fs28\b1\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri124\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem: \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Bill C-58 conferred limited order-making power on the Information\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Commissioner of Canada. Orders from the commissioner lack the authority of a\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 federal judge\'92s order, can be challenged in federal court, and the case can be heard\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'93de novo,\'94 allowing a federal institution to advance new secrecy arguments not\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 previously\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 provided\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ICC.\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Thus,\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 federal\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 opposed\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 disclosure\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 have\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 an attractive legal option to drag out the case for months or years. Indeed, some\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions may be incentivized to withhold arguments from the ICC\'92s initial\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 investigation,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reserving\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 them\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for a later federal case.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb2\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri172\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 In addition, Bill C-58 excludes the ICC from policing the proactive-disclosure regime\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 set out in the new Part 2 of the Act. There is therefore no independent check on\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 recalcitrant\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions who fail to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 abide by the Act,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 whether by withholding\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri98\sl240\slmult1\sb88\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 records altogether or by ignoring legislated timelines. No Parliamentary or\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 independent government body is made responsible for overseeing and enforcing the\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 new\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Part\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 2.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb9\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri961\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Provide true order-making power to the ICC by giving that office\'92s\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 decisions the effect of a federal judge\'92s order. Make the ICC responsible for\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 independent\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 review of\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Part 2 of\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the Act.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb235\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Delays\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri146\sl240\slmult1\sb280\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : In 2019-2020, almost 50,000 requests made under the Access to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information Act were completed beyond legislated timelines, representing one of\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 every three requests completed that year. The Act requires institutions to provide\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 requested records within 30 days or within an extended deadline set by the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 themselves,\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 often\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 an\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 additional\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 90\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 days\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 or\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 more.\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 A third\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of all\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 completed requests are now violating even these lax requirements. Journalists\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 especially struggle with this reality, unable to provide timely information on current\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 issues because of a chronically deficient access regime. Governments are not held to\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 account, and the public\'92s democratic right to participate in policy formation is\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 undermined. The problem is exacerbated by delays within the Office of the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information Commissioner of Canada. Complaints from requestors typically are not\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 even assigned to investigators for months, and final reports can take years to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 appear. As previous information commissioners themselves have declared, \'93Access\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 delayed\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 is access denied.\'94\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb11\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri363\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 In recent years, many delays have been attributed to excessive consultations with\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 other federal institutions. Such consultations are often open-ended, as the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 originating body does not police delays caused by the negligence of the consulted\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 body. Currently, consultations with other institutions are cited for about half of all\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 time\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 extensions taken under the Act, a level that has\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 been rising\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 each year.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri109\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solutions\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : The Act contains no reference to sanctions, penalties or adverse\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 consequences for institutions that violate legislated deadlines. The legislation\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 urgently requires amendments to reduce chronic delays. First, institutions that\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 violate deadlines must forfeit the ability to invoke any of the Act\'92s non-mandatory\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 exemptions to withhold records. Second, there must be legislated limits on the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ability of institutions to initiate a consultation, restricting the measure to cases in\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 which there are legal, security and safety issues. Third, if a consultation is\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 undertaken, a time limit of 30 days must be imposed after which the consulted\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 department loses its ability to request non-disclosure of records. Fourth, institutions\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 found\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 have\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 violated\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 legislated\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 deadlines\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 fined\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 sufficient\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 dollar\f2\expnd0\expndtw2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 amounts\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to discourage the practice, with such fines made public quarterly (and proceeds paid\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada to support the office\'92s\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 general\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 investigative\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 activities).\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Fifth,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ICC\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 itself\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 subject\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 deadlines\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri482\sl240\slmult1\sb88\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 completion of investigations, albeit with the ability to invoke reasonable time\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 extensions. Legislated deadlines for this office would allow complainants who do\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 not\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 receive a timely report to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 go\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 directly\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Federal\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Court\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to seek a remedy.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri458\sl242\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Currently, open-ended and years\'92-long ICC investigations preclude complainants\'92\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 timely access to the justice system because the Act requires the ICC to file a final\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 report\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 first.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb8\f2\fs26\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Duty\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 document\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (and\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 preserve)\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri167\sl240\slmult1\sb286\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Motivated partly by the existence of the Access to Information Act, some\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public servants and government officials decline to properly document actions and\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 decisions for fear of adverse exposure. Digital technology has also enhanced\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 opportunities to make public records vanish, such as emails, text messages, meeting\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 notes,\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 etc.,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 records\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 that\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 often\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 essential\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 holding\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 officials\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 accountable.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri400\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Section 67.1 (1) provides for sentences and fines for destroying, falsifying or\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 concealing records, but has a high threshold for conviction, that is, criminal intent\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be proved. No charges have ever been laid under this section.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb2\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri235\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : The Act must be amended to compel government officials and employees\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to routinely document their actions and decisions, on pain of fines for failure to do\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 so, regardless of whether the relevant records are the subject of an Access to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information Act request. Further, Section 67.1 (1) must be amended to include a\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 class of offences referring to any mere act of destruction, falsification or\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 concealment\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 records\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 without\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 necessary\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 regard\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 intent,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 punishable\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 by\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 fines.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb230\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Schedule\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 II\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'96\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The\f1\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 notorious\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 opt-out\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 list\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri120\sl240\slmult1\sb286\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Section 24(1) of the Access to Information Act creates a long list of opt-\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 outs. That is, institutions are required to withhold requested information if the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 release is prohibited by a particular statute on the list. Information commissioners\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 have raised red flags about the Section 24(1) list since 1986, with John Grace calling\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 it a \'93back door\'94 derogation from access rights. There were 33 statutes listed in the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Act in 1983, citing 40 kinds of information impervious to access requests. Today, the\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 list has almost doubled, to 65 statutes referring to 102 kinds of information\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 prohibited from release. Section 24(1) prohibitions too often appear in new\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 legislation, without having undergone proper scrutiny by Parliament. This form of\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 creeping censorship has expanded for almost four decades, until its substantial\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 accumulation today.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb9\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri218\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Existing exemptions in the Act are sufficient to safeguard the information\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 protected\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 by\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Section 24(1).\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The section and\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 list\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be eliminated.\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb83\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Machine-readable\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (digital)\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 records\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb9\f1\fs24\b1\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri226\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : ATIA-based reporting on public issues is often thwarted by an\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institution\'92s failure to provide digital records, including databases, in their original\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 machine-readable, searchable formats. Too often, the digital records provided are\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 mere optical scans that cannot be readily interrogated by computer. In May 2016,\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the Treasury Board president recognized this persistent problem by issuing a weak\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 directive to all institutions that said \'93when privacy, confidentiality and security\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 considerations would not be compromised and it would not be unreasonable or\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 impractical to do so, provide records in the format requests by the requestor,\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 including machine-readable and reusable formats.\'94 The problem has persisted over\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the last five years, despite the directive, with numerous journalists battling\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 digital\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 records in machine-readable formats.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb10\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri707\sl240\slmult1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Embed language in the Act itself that compels institutions to provide\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 requestors\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 with\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 fully\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 machine-readable formats when requested.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb233\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 outsourcing\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 loophole\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri280\sl240\slmult1\sb285\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Governments often outsource the delivery of programs and services to\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 private-sector businesses and non-governmental agencies. Such transfers of public\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 funds and operations have the corollary effect of drawing a veil over records that\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 document the activity, because the outsourced work is then considered beyond the\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ambit of the Access to Information Act. Journalists who would normally use the Act\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to hold institutions accountable for the provision of public services can no longer\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 access relevant records now held by a business or agency. Much of this outsourced\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 work\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 impacts the health and safety of\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canadians, and the environment.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb2\f2\fs24\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri421\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Amend the Act to broaden its scope to cover any entity that delivers\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government goods, services and programs through outsourcing, or that delivers a\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government-authorized\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public mandate.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb7\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f1\fs28\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Retention\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ATIA\f1\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f1\fs28\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 releases\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri117\sl240\slmult1\sb281\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Problem\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Previously released access-to-information files can be an important\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 source of information for journalists and others. These documents, which can be\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 accessed informally, can also help reduce the need to file Access to Information Act\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 requests, alleviating the administrative burden on federal institutions. The federal\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 online database listing metadata for previously released ATIA package was begun in\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 2012, yet older listings have been deleted so that the database contain only the most\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 recent two years\'92 of listings. The policy is counterproductive, undermining the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 usefulness\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 this\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 tool.\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri522\sl237\slmult1\sb90\f1\fs24\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Solution\f2\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 : Permanently restore the database listings to at least 2012, and begin a\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 process\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 post\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 online the records\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 themselves, rather\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 than just the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 metadata.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs28\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri136\sl240\slmult1\sb190\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The government claims that \'93openness, transparency and accountability are guiding\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 principles,\'94 yet the centerpiece legislation intended to deliver those results \'96 the\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Access to Information Act \'96 has been allowed to deteriorate through decades of\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 neglect. The Bill C-58 amendments of June 2019 did little to fix flaws in the access\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 regime, and indeed exacerbated some of those flaws. Former information\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 commissioner\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Suzanne\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Legault called\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the bill\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 a \'93regression\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of existing\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 rights.\'94\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb10\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri126\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canada\'92s access-to-information regime was thus at its weakest point in the last four\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 decades just as COVID-19 hit \'96 a health emergency that requires greater\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 transparency, not less. One year ago, the current information commissioner,\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Caroline Maynard, warned the access regime was in such dire straits it \'93may soon be\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 beyond\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 repair.\'94\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri124\sl240\slmult1\sb230\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 I \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 do not view the law and its administration as beyond repair. The demands above\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 chart a reasonable path back to transparency, openness and accountability. What is\f2\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 at\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 risk\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 is\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 confidence\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 that\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 public\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 officials\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 politicians\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canada\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 will\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 set\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 aside\f2\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 their\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-50\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reflexive,\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 self-serving\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 secrecy\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 do\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 right\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 thing\f2\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for the\f2\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 country.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb11\f2\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li105\ri7522\sl240\slmult1\f2\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Dean Beeby\f2\expnd-10\expndtw-51\charscalex100 \f2\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 OTTAWA\par}