About this episode

The episode discusses the failures of Canada's Access to Information Act and the challenges in achieving government transparency.

Canada’s Access to Information Act was supposed to give Canadians a window into their government. But more than 40 years later, critics say the system is failing — with delays, redactions, and a culture of secrecy. Host Noor Azrieh speaks with transparency activist Ken Rubin, journalist Dean Beeby, and lawyer Matt Malone about the fight over the future of access to information in Canada, and why proposed changes could make it even harder to hold governments accountable. Host: Noor Azrieh Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Annie Tuba (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork) Photo: Tony Wang Guests: Ken Rubin , Dean Beeby , Matt Malone Background reading: Ottawa experts raise alarm over ‘regressive’ government proposals for access-to-information law – Ottawa Citizen Information commissioner 'disappointed' by lack of federal ambition on access reform – The Canadian Press Federal transparency law changes could shield government emails, text messages – The Narwhal Off to a bad start: Treasury Board…

People in this episode

Host: Noor Azrieh

Guests: Ken Rubin, Dean Beeby, Matt Malone

Topics covered

• access to information
• government transparency
• freedom of information
• Canada
• secrecy
• accountability

Keywords

• access to information
• transparency
• Canada
• government accountability
• secrecy
• freedom of information
• reform

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Canada’s Access to Information Act, Ottawa Citizen, The Canadian Press, The Narwhal, The Hill Times, Investigative Journalism Foundation

Books & works: Dean Beeby's FOI Tip Sheet

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