Why a review

The last three decades have brought extraordinary changes to the way Canadians and the government do business, manage information, and interact. Canada’s Access to Information Act, which came into force in 1983, needed to catch up to these changes.

In June 2019, the Government passed Bill C-58, which brought forward the most significant amendments to the Access to Information Act since it was first introduced. It added new requirements for proactive publication, an order-making power for the Information Commissioner, and more. The Government also committed to begin a full review of the access to information process within one year of Bill C-58 coming into force. Regular reviews will ensure Canada’s access to information regime stays in step with future advances.

Reviews present an opportunity to ensure that the access to information regime continues to provide open, accessible and trustworthy information to Canadians in this digital age.

The first Access to Information Review is now complete. Read our final report to Parliament and see what was shared here.

Read the Terms of Reference of the ATIA Review.