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ARTICLE · 12 JULY 2019

Access To Information Reforms: Phase One Finalized

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The federal government's plan to revitalize the access to information framework has commenced. The first phase, Bill C-58: An Act to amend the Access to Information Act

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Molly Reynolds
Molly Reynolds
Thomas Yeo
Thomas Yeo
Zhonghui (Sue) Fei
Zhonghui (Sue) Fei
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The federal government’s plan to revitalize the access to information framework has commenced. The first phase, Bill C-58: An Act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, has received royal assent. The second phase entails a full review of the Access to Information Act (ATIA) one year after the amendments come into force and every five years following.

What you need to know

The key changes to the access to information framework provided by the amendments to ATIA include:

  • Proactive publication. The Senate, the House of Commons, parliamentary entities, minister’s offices, government institutions (including Crown corporations) and the courts are required to electronically publish information specified in the amended ATIA. The information required to be published varies by government institution but generally covers details of travel and hospitality expenses, certain contracts, grants and

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