Feds ease up on Access to Information proposal criticized by Indigenous groups
OTTAWA — The Liberal government says it’s willing to back down on a proposal — criticized by Indigenous groups — that would force users of the Access to Information Act to be precise about the records they’re seeking.
A federal bill would amend the access law by requiring applicants to state the type of record being sought, the subject matter and the time-frame in which the documents were created.
At a Senate committee Wednesday, Treasury Board President Scott Brison said he had heard the concerns of Indigenous groups, who argued the provision could hinder the ability to request archival records needed to settle historical claims.
It is often difficult for archival researchers to know when a desired record was created or where exactly in the files it might be found, and Brison invited senators studying the bill to amend the planned wording.