The amendments to the legislation are definitely something that need to be done if we want to have a proper system on access to information that's modernized and that respects what is going on right now in 2024. The act was adopted in 1983, so there's definitely a modernization requirement.
There is also a change in culture that needs to be happening within the government. People need to see transparency as a positive thing, not a negative thing. They have to look at access requests not as something they want to refuse but as something that they want to give.
There's also a need for more tools, human resources and training in terms of responding to this access. Access requests are increasing every year. Canadians are asking for more information, and the tools and resources are not responding to that increase, not just in my office but in all departments.
We need those three big changes to be able to be the government that is the world leader in access that we used to be in 1983.