{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252{\fonttbl{\f0\fbidis\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fbidis\froman\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}}{\colortbl ;\red51 \green51 \blue51;}{\stylesheet{\fs22\f0\sqformat\spriority1 Normal}{\s1\li106\f0\fs24\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 Body Text}{\s2\li106\f1\fs48\b1\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 Title}{\s3\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 List Paragraph}{\s4\sbasedon0\sqformat\spriority1 Table Paragraph}}{\info{\creatim\yr2022\mo5\dy5\hr16\min23\sec55}{\revtim\yr2022\mo5\dy5\hr16\min25\sec27}}{\*\userprops {\propname Creator}\proptype30{\staticval Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/101.0.4951.41 Safari/537.36 Edg/101.0.1210.32}}\jexpand\dntblnsbdb\viewkind1\noxlattoyen\nospaceforul\useltbaln\paperw12240\paperh15840\margl1060\margr1060\margt980\margb280\noindnmbrts\sectd\sbknone\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri235\sl242\slmult1\sb67\f1\fs48\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 Submission\f1\expnd-3\expndtw-14\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 from\f1\expnd-3\expndtw-13\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 World\f1\expnd-3\expndtw-14\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Press\f1\expnd-3\expndtw-13\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Freedom\f1\expnd-3\expndtw-14\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canada\f1\expnd-23\expndtw-117\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (WPFC)\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Treasury\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Board\'92s\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 review\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\par\pard\plain\s2\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-547\f1\fs48\b1\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 Access\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-7\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-7\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-7\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Act\f1\expnd-1\expndtw-6\charscalex100 \f1\fs48\b1\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (ATIA)\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb7\f1\fs23\b1\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl240\slmult1\sb90\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 June 2021\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb4\f0\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri292\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 Please accept the following brief from World Press Freedom Canada (WPFC) in response to the\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 invitation\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 from\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Hon.\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Jean-Yves\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Duclos,\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 president\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Treasury\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Board\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canada,\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 on\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 March\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 31,\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 2021, for public submissions to the current review of the Access to Information Act and its\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-270\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 administration.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb8\f0\fs21\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-273\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 WPFC was incorporated in 2008 as a non-profit body that monitors press freedom issues nationally\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri250\sl235\slmult1\sb1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 and\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 globally.\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Our\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Ottawa-based\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 group\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 advocates\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 freedom\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 expression,\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 identifies\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 violations,\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 pro-\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 actively defends freedom of the press, and raises pubic awareness of the importance of freedom of\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri154\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 expression. Our membership consists primarily, though not exclusively, of journalists who support\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 these\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 goals.\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 WPFC\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 is\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 also\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 a\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 member\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Right\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Alliance\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canada\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 (RTIAC),\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 a\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 group\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 like-minded\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 organizations pressing for reform of transparency\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 legislation and practices.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb3\f0\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri130\sl235\slmult1\sb1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 The Access to Information Act, passed in 1982 after two years\'92 of study, has been on a steady decline\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ever\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 since\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 it\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 became\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 law.\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Its\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 flaws\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 became\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 apparent\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 early,\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 numerous\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 efforts\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 at\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reform\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 foundered\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 as\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 successive governments declined to act. Occasional amendments over the period 1983-2021 often\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri171\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 weakened transparency rather than strengthened it. In 2006, for example, the law was changed to keep\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 draft audits secret [22.1 (1)]. This restriction was among the very few recommendations the\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 acted\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 upon\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 following\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 2002\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 report\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Access\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Information\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Review\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Task\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Force,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 a\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-270\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 $3-million exercise that changed little.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb5\f0\fs21\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-273\sb1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 Over the years, governments have passed new laws with their own secrecy provisions, which have\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri243\sl235\slmult1\sb1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 added to the pool of information impervious to the Access to Information Act. In 1983, there were 33\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 statutes that expressly protected some kinds of government information from requests under the Act.\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Today,\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 there\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 65\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 such\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 statutes,\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 each\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 incrementally\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 eroding\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 access\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 law.\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Timeliness\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-4\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 has\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 also\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-5\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 been\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 eroded. Parliament in 1982 expected most requests for information under the Access to Information\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Act\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 could\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 satisfied\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 within\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 30\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 days,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 with\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 few\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 exceptions.\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Today,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 only\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 about\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 half\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 requests\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-269\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 completed within 30 days.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb4\f0\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri527\qj\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 Bill C-58, which became law in June 2019, contained the \'93most significant amendments to the Act\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 since 1983,\'94 according to Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos. The claim is debatable, but\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 what is clear is that the bill further constrained the rights of requestors. Federal institutions and the\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Office\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of the Information\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Commissioner are now empowered\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to disregard certain requests\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri90\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 complaints as \'93vexatious,\'94 for example, with no definition given. Numerous critics warned that the bill\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 weakened the law in other important respects, failed to deliver on specific promises made to Canadians\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in the 2015 federal election, and left dozens of secrecy loopholes in place. Thus Canada\'92s primary\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 transparency law remained weak and ineffective just as the COVD-19 health emergency hit in March\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 2020. At the very historical moment during which Canadians required assured access to a stream of\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 information\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 their\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 safety,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 pipelines\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 were\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 rusted\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 clogged\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 from\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 years\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 deliberate\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 neglect.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb9\f0\fs21\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri160\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 The numerous flaws in Canada\'92s access-to-information regime can be reduced to just two: the law\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 provides\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 far\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 too\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 many\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reasons\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 keep\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 information\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 secret;\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 releasing\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 information\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 takes\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 far\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 too\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 long.\par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn500\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri90\sl235\slmult1\sb70\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 On the first issue, the law does not even apply to the most important sources of government\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 information. Cabinet documents and records in minister\'92s offices \'96 including in the Prime Minister\'92s\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Office\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'96\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 excluded\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 from\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reach\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Act.\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 These\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 areas\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 represent\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 core\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 decision-making\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 policy\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 formation,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 yet\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 are entirely\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 off-limits\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 requests from\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 citizens.\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Further,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Schedule II\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri123\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 Act\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 lists\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 102\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 other\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 kinds\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 information\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'96\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 from\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 transport\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 energy,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 trade\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 defence\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 \'96\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 that\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 by\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 law\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 cannot be released to requestors. This opt-out list has more than doubled in the years since the law was\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 first passed, a creeping opacity that attracts little notice. Similarly, the increased outsourcing of\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government programs and services to third-party providers has also pushed information beyond the\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reach of the Access to Information Act.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb1\f0\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri237\sl235\slmult1\sb1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 Even information that is covered by the Access to Information Act can nevertheless be kept secret for\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 dozens of reasons set out in the legislation. These exemptions have been routinely interpreted so as to\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 withhold factual information. For example, Section 21, referring to \'93advice,\'94 has been invoked to\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 protect public-opinion polls and economic forecasts.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\f0\fs22\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 The\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 law\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reformed\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to:\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 include\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 cabinet\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 records\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ministers\'92\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 offices\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 within\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 its\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 ambit;\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reduce\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 or\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 eliminate Schedule II, and prevent further routine additions; cover outsourced government programs\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri368\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 and services; and inhibit the ability of institutions to invoke exemptions by listing within the law the\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 types of records that must be released. Such measures would not only increase fundamental\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 transparency but would strengthen the role of the Information Commissioner of Canada as an\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 independent\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 arbiter.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb2\f0\fs23\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri482\sl235\slmult1\sb1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 The second issue, the problem of delays, has an obvious impact on journalists attempting to inform\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canadians in a timely way about matters of public interest. The Act currently sets out only loose\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri130\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 standards. An initial 30-day deadline is merely aspirational. Institutions can give themselves\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 permission to exceed that deadline through self-assigned extensions, typically 60 days, 90 days or\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 more (in one instance, at Library and Archives Canada, an 80-year extension). In a third of all requests\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 currently (2019-2020), institutions fail to deliver records even under these lax standards, that is, they\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri155\qj\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 either do not respect the 30-day deadline or do not provide records before their extended deadline. The\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 law\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 is\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 silent\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 on\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 consequences\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 for\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 disregarding\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 law\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 this\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 way,\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 with\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 no\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reference\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 penalties\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 or\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 sanctions. The Information Commissioner of Canada can order the release of overdue material, but\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri377\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 cannot take any other punitive action. Federal institutions thus have little incentive to abide by\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 reasonable deadlines. There is no clear limit to the length of extensions they can unilaterally invoke,\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 and\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 blowing\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 past\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 deadlines\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 has\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 no\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 material consequences.\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 The\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 playing\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 field\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 is\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 tilted\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in their\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 favour.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb7\f0\fs21\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri663\sl235\slmult1\sb1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 The law must be reformed to include checks and balances, that is, to impose discipline on federal\f0\expnd-12\expndtw-58\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions\'92 legal obligations to provide timely responses to requestors. Institutions that violate\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 legislated deadlines must face significant fines, and must thereby forfeit the ability to invoke\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri101\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 exemptions\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 censor\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 material.\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Tighter\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 restrictions\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 must\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 be\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 imposed\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 on\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 consultations\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 with\f0\expnd0\expndtw-1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 other\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 federal\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions, a notorious driver of delays, by setting strict time limits and denying the consulted\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 institutions any veto on releases if they violate deadlines. Pay packages of senior bureaucrats must be\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-270\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 contingent on a properly functioning access-to-information unit that respects legislated timelines.\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\sl240\slmult1\sb9\f0\fs22\b0\i0\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\sl-273\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 There are other issues that need to be resolved in the reform process: a public-interest override to\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri160\sl235\slmult1\sb2\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 ensure information about health, safety and environmental risks is made public, despite exemptions; a\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 duty-to-document provision requiring public servants to record decisions and actions; a requirement to\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 release records in their original machine-readable formats. But the two main issues cited above \'96\par\pard\plain\s1\nooverflow\nocwrap\lnbrkrule\li106\ri164\sl235\slmult1\f0\fs24\b0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100\cf1 excessive secrecy provisions, and excessive delays \'96 are the most pressing, and most immediately\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 threatening\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 freedom\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 of\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 press\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 in\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 Canada.\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 We\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 urge\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 the\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 government\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 to\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 fix\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 these\f0\expnd-1\expndtw-3\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 transparency\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 flaws\f0\expnd-11\expndtw-57\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 quickly so that in the next national emergency, journalists and others can better inform Canadians and\f0\expnd0\expndtw1\charscalex100 \f0\fs24\b0\i0\expnd0\expndtw0\charscalex100 keep governments accountable.\par}