Information regulators issue joint resolution supporting public's right to access government records

Federal, provincial and territorial Information Commissioners and Ombudspersons signed a joint resolution, reinforcing the public's right to access government-held information.

Canada's freedom of information regimes faced persistent challenges in delivering timely responses to access to information requests, underscoring the need to implement alternative and efficient mechanisms for providing access to records, including through proactive disclosure.

The joint resolution acknowledged the importance of adapting to the digital era, emphasizing the need for Canadians to have reliable information amid the rapid spread of misinformation. The resolution also recognized the importance of access to official government records, including historical records, to maintain Canadians' confidence in the country's democratic institutions.

Information regulators stated in the joint resolution, "Access to our documentary history allows Canada to understand its past, to continue on the path to reconciliation and to look to the future."

The regulators also emphasized that disinformation and misinformation spread very quickly. Timely access to accurate facts and reliable information is more critical than ever. They recognized the urgent need for change. They called upon their respective governments to modernize legislation, policies and information management practices to advance transparency and ensure the preservation and dissemination of Canada's documentary heritage so that all Canadians can better understand the nation's past and present and chart a future path toward reconciliation.

The regulators said in the joint resolution, "To restore a collective sense of social cohesion and trust in our public institutions, Canadians must be able to rely upon an accurate and truthful source of facts and evidence about present and historical events."

The joint resolution outlined fundamental principles, emphasizing the significance of transparency and a default presumption that information belongs to the public, with support for proactive disclosure. The resolution also underscored the need for robust information management systems, proper training, and responsible transfer of historical records to archival organizations.

The joint resolution served as a call for federal, provincial and territorial governments to act swiftly and decisively in modernizing their respective laws, policies, and information management practices to strengthen access to information regimes and support a culture of transparency across Canada.