Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Ministers, for appearing with us today.
The same week that we began debate on Bill C-58, the commissioner issued an extraordinary document entitled “Failing to Strike the Right Balance for Transparency“. I'll just very briefly read into the record a couple of paragraphs from her opening statement. She goes into great detail in the rest of the report.
The Commissioner said:
In short, Bill C-58 fails to deliver. The government promised the bill would ensure the Act applies to the Prime Minister’s and Ministers’ Offices appropriately. It does not. The government promised the bill would apply appropriately to administrative institutions that support Parliament and the courts. It does not. The government promised the bill would empower the Information Commissioner to order the release of government information. It does not.
The final line that I'll quote, Ministers, is the most telling. The Information Commissioner of Canada writes:
Rather than advancing access to information rights, Bill C-58 would instead result in a regression of existing rights.
Minister Brison, could you respond?