FOI Correspondence

Ottawa: In light of recent government stonewalling on Gomery-related legal expenses, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the next federal government to end Ottawa's "culture of secrecy" and remove political interference from the access to information process.

On November 7th, 2005, and November 16th, 2005, the CTF submitted two access to information requests asking for the total amount taxpayers paid for lawyers fees at the Gomery Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program. These requests went to two government bodies - the Privy Council Office and the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada. On December 5th, 2005, both the Privy Council Office and the Department of Public Works replied saying an additional 60 days was needed for one request and an additional 100 days was needed for the other. Coincidentally, the election will be over by the time this information sees the light of day.

"While some requests legitimately require additional time, these particular extensions seem politically motivated," said CTF federal director John Williamson. "Again the public's right to government information has taken a backseat to politics."

"It is no secret that Gomery's revelations of corruption have outraged Canadians and no doubt taxpayers will be further angered when they realize that millions more of taxpayers' money has been spent on defending the likes of Alphonso Gagliano and Chuck Guité," added Williamson.

A May, 2005, study by the Canadian Newspaper Association (CAN) found that access to information laws are riddled with "red tape, poor disclosure, prohibitive fees, and incompliance with statutory time limits."

"The federal government is the only stakeholder that benefits from ensuring this information is not promptly disclosed," said Williamson. "That potentially embarrassing information is so easily kept under wraps for political reasons shows that the current laws need reform."

Information Commissioner John Reid has publicly berated Ottawa for its "pro-secrecy" culture. His office receives approximately 1,500 complains per year about non-compliance. The CTF calls on the next federal government to reform Canada's outdated access to information law and remove political meddling. Taxpayers, voters, and citizens deserve no less.