I think the minister underestimates the pushback, though. Minister Toews I think is having the same problem Minister Cotler had. I don't think people realize the entrenched problem of secrecy within the senior bureaucratic level and the reluctance to shine the light of day on the operations of government now.
The Information Commissioner has the unique strength to be able to actually shake loose or shake free some of the senior bureaucrats. What ministers lack I think is the comprehensive background necessary to counter some of these arguments they face. Your role would have to be as champion in that regard, in the service of well-meaning ministers who have been stymied time and time again.
Vic Toews was part of the ad hoc committee that John Bryden put together to try to break this logjam of freedom of information. He himself played an active role in pushing the previous government in this regard. Are you willing to adopt that mantle? In your brief, you said you have to be a champion. Well, that will have to be an aggressive, activist champion, even if it means falling out of favour with the ruling party of the day.