Information & Ethics committee  We have not had any complaints with respect to that type of interference. I understand that Madame Legault, the commissioner before me, had an investigation with respect to that. There's a report on our website with respect to that type of interference, but that was previous to m

Information & Ethics committee  I wouldn't be able to tell you. I'm not aware of anything. If we see in our investigation that somebody has been trying to interfere or intervene and that it could also be intentional, I cannot investigate those types of actions. I can refer them to Minister Lametti, who can inve

Information & Ethics committee  As far as we're aware, there were six by me and former commissioners that never led to charges.

Information & Ethics committee  I'm only aware of the cases that are referred to me through complaints. We receive files where there is some cabinet confidence information that's been redacted. Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to look at those documents. I have to rely on the words of our institutions

Information & Ethics committee  I'm aware that right now the public safety department is doing a pilot project on some specific documents where they have a committee looking at declassification. I've heard that TBS is looking at putting in place such a program, but there's nothing concrete so far. I'm hearing

Information & Ethics committee  No, the departments are not.... I think what we need is a program overall for the federal government. If each department starts its own, it's not going to accomplish much. I think they have to get together. Most of the institutions don't deal with those types of documents, but w

Information & Ethics committee  I would like to refer you to my special report that I tabled two weeks ago for Library and Archives on a systemic investigation where we made recommendations with respect to declassification. We also did a report a couple of years ago on that specific topic. It is accessible and

Information & Ethics committee  Totally, yes.

Information & Ethics committee  We have not been able to see real actions. I know that there are some actions being put together by TBS, but we are still waiting for a report with respect to the legislative review of the system. Some departments are doing really well. I would say that the Canada Revenue Agency

Information & Ethics committee  Part 2 of the Access to Information Act already requires departments and ministers' offices to provide specific information, including information about spending. That's a good start. What I'm suggesting would go even further. For example, in the United States, after three freed

Information & Ethics committee  The RCMP cooperates, but they have a significant backlog. We're currently working with them. Recently, we quickly resolved 50 complaints, so I think they are taking the situation seriously.

Information & Ethics committee  I don't know. I'd have to find out before I can respond. We have over 300 complaints about the RCMP, so surely there are a few that are five or six years old.

Information & Ethics committee  Sure, that's fine.

Information & Ethics committee  The specific case you're referring to is actually a file from the RCMP that was transferred to Library and Archives. Library and Archives is the one that had requested an 80-year extension to respond to the request. Library and Archives are in a very specific and difficult situa

Information & Ethics committee  This is exactly what we were talking about earlier. We need in Canada a program where these older files, which are secret, top secret or have sensitive information.... Our history, with respect to some very specific national security documents that existed 50 or 60 years ago, is