Terms of Reference for the Access to Information Review
Context
The last three decades have brought important changes to the way Canadians and the government do business, manage information and interact. Canada’s Access to Information Act, which came into force in 1983, needs to catch up with these changes.
In June 2019, Parliament passed Bill C-58, which brought forward the most significant amendments to the Access to Information Act since it was first introduced. It provided an order-making power to the Information Commissioner of Canada, added new requirements for proactive publication, and introduced a requirement for the President of the Treasury Board to review the act every five years, with the first review beginning by June 21, 2020.
The Access to Information Review was launched on June 18, 2020.
Mandate
The Access to Information Review focused on:
- reviewing the legislative framework;
- opportunities to improve proactive publication to make information openly available;
- assessing processes and systems to improve service and reduce delays.
The review sought to broaden understanding of the Access to Information Act, its important role in our democracy, and the values and principles it balances.
The review sought the views of the public, Indigenous peoples and their representative organizations, Canada’s Information and Privacy Commissioners, and other stakeholders and interested parties.
In support of government openness and transparency to improve access to information for Canadians, a final report with the review’s findings was submitted to the President of the Treasury Board in December of 2022.
Conduct of the review
Public engagement
The review invited participation from a broad cross-section of interested groups, organizations and individuals to gain an understanding of issues and opportunities related to access to information.
The review offered opportunities for online engagement and provided procedures for the receipt of written submissions.
Information about the timing and conduct of engagement activities was posted on the review’s website.
The review relied on digital tools and approaches to create safe and accessible opportunities for engagement in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Engagement of Indigenous peoples and their representative organizations
The review was undertaken consistently with the government’s commitment to continued engagement and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
The review invited the participation of National Indigenous Organizations, modern treaty and self-government holders, and other Indigenous organizations, groups and interested individuals in order to seek the views of Indigenous peoples on aspects of access to information that are important to them.
Indigenous engagement on these issues is ongoing.
Open information
Information about the review and the input received during the course of engagement activities were made publicly available throughout the process, including:
- a record of engagement activities;
- submissions received, with the consent of the contributor.
Official languages
The review’s materials, engagement activities and other public information were provided in both official languages.
Report
In support of government openness and transparency to improve access to information for Canadians, a final report with the review’s findings was submitted to the President of the Treasury Board in December of 2022.
The final report included a summary of feedback received during engagement activities, and provided areas of focus to achieve strategic outcomes for improving access to information for Canadians.
The report was tabled by the President of the Treasury Board in Parliament.
The report was also be published online and can be accessed here.
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