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 already wants to make access to information worse – The Hill Times
• Liberal government’s addiction to secrecy – Dean Beeby
• Canada’s Bad Boy of Freedom of Information – Dean Beeby 
• Open By Default – Investigative Journalism Foundation
• Dean Beeby’s FOI Tip Sheet 

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