No, Chairman, I think the member misunderstands or misperceives what the act provides. There are very clear principles in the statute: there are mandatory exemptions; there are discretionary exemptions. Where discretionary exemptions might apply, those decisions are made by public servants to whom ministers have delegated specific authorities under the statute, and once delegated, it's those public servants who are making the decisions to apply discretionary exemption. However, I think the member and I would both embrace the principle of the supremacy of Parliament and would realize that despite the delegation of authority, ultimately it is the minister who is responsible to Parliament to answer for how delegated authority is being discharged. In that respect, the Access to Information Act is no different from any of the statutes enacted by the Parliament of Canada.
On April 13th, 2010. See this statement in context.