Access to Information Act

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation v. Canada (Information Commissioner): Information Commissioner, CBC, and the right to know

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ("CBC") is under fire from Canadian Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault ("Information Commissioner") for recent decisions refusing disclosure requests. While it is usually parliamentarians and public servants who are the subject of Ms. Legault’s criticism, it is now CBC who has been put in the hot seat by Ms. Legault. CBC vs. […]

Canada (Information Commissioner) v. Canada (Minister of National Defence): Democratic Governance, Transparency and Accountability or Executive Privilege?

In Ontario (Public Safety and Security) v. Criminal Lawyers’ Association, [2010] 1 S.C.R. 815, McLachlin C.J. and Abella J. hold that "[a]ccess to information in the hands of public institutions can increase transparency in government, contribute to an informed public, and enhance an open and democratic society.  Some information in the hands of those institutions […]