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Openness advocates unimpressed by early proposals for Access to Information reform

Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali circulated a draft discussion paper proposing new powers to extend timelines for unclear requests and during emergencies, with formal engagement planned this winter.
Longstanding record-keeping failures prompted an administrative review, with Treasury Board noting Canada’s Access to Information Act hasn’t been fully overhauled in more than 40 years.
Researcher Ken Rubin formally urged Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali to transfer the review to a House of Commons committee and said he has not received a reply, while a letter warned proposals would weaken requesters’ rights and put the minister in an `untenable position`.
The paper warns enforcement strains connected to the information commissioner’s orders as civil society groups, journalists and members of the public seek expanded law, stricter timelines and more resources.
Observers warn proposed changes could alter transparency for journalists, researchers and Indigenous communities by affecting access to historical records and Indigenous affairs; the draft follows the previous federal review from June 2020 to December 2022 and was first published Jan. 27, 2026.

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