Access to Information requests

Despite talking about openness and transparency, the Federal Information Commissioner says Canadians aren’t getting the answers we deserve from the government when we make access to information requests. Suzanne Legault released her annual report Thursday which finds the integrity of the system is at risk, and the weaknesses must be urgently addressed.

The Access to Information Act came into force in 1983 and allows people to pay $5 to request a variety of records from federal agencies. The government is supposed to respond within 30 days or give good reasons why a delay is necessary, but Legault say says staff shortages mean institutions have gone six months without even acknowledging receipt of requests.