Information & Ethics committee  The first objective, I would say, is a recognition from maybe this committee and anyone interested in the access to information system that there are real barriers to victims, complainants and survivors in accessing essential information, which hasn't yet been a real part of the conversation.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you. It is a very on-point question. My challenge, and what I personally struggle with is.... With regard to the credentials that I explained to the committee earlier, as well as some general familiarity with government processes, I feel relatively comfortable in understanding the ATIP process and the system—how to make a request.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you for the question. An example that I've personally faced, and I know others have as well, is the amount of information required up front before a request can be processed. As an example, if you're filing an access to information request about records related to a person's misconduct or about an individual who may have assaulted you or harmed you, you're required to provide their service number.

Information & Ethics committee  The problem is that it effectively doesn't, from my experience. The timeline that a member has to file a grievance begins with a 90-day limit from when an action is taken or a decision is made or the member reasonably ought to have known has been made. As I frequently have experienced, the department is extremely tight on timelines when they are applied to victims, but of course not so tight when it comes to responding and meeting their own timelines imposed under legislation.

Information & Ethics committee  I wouldn't say so. My experience is.... I am obviously appreciative of the patience and understanding of the officials who work in the directorate of access to information and privacy within the Department of National Defence. However, the process becomes that record requests are then sent to the individual parts of the forces or the Department of National Defence.

Information & Ethics committee  Mr. Chair, members of the committee, thank you for inviting me. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the committee's study on the access to information and privacy, or ATIP, regime. I am here in my capacity as a citizen of Canada. Before I begin my remarks, I would like to acknowledge that I make this presentation before the committee today despite fully expecting reprisals or attempts at reprisals from the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence.