Canada election: Voters will be choosing ‘who stands up for them,’ Carney says at Ontario campaign stop

Carney open to access to information review

Hi, I’m Cat Tunney, a senior reporter with CBC’s Parliamentary Bureau and, for full disclosure, a very active user of the federal government’s access to information system.

It’s the way Canadians, including journalists, can apply for government records that otherwise would not see the light of day, and it’s meant to be a pillar of government accountability.

The system is supposed to work like this: for a $5 fee, Canadians can request government records, ranging from emails to memos to reports. Federal agencies are supposed to respond within 30 days or provide a reason why more time is needed.

But in practice, the system moves at a glacial place and is stalled by excessive — and sometimes unjustified — redactions. (Just last month, I finally got a response back for a request I sent all the way back in 2018!)

Carney was asked today whether he’s open to improving the system.

“It’s not in the platform. It’s in my head, and so I will now, against the advice of my advisers, put it out of my head,” he said.

“I do think looking at access to information is quite important … I’m happy to commit to having a review of that.”

The Liberal leader added that he believes an objective review would serve Canadians, no matter who wins Monday.