Earlier this spring, John Grace, the outgoing Information Commissioner (IC), submitted his annual and final report to Parliament.

The IC "is an ombudsman appointed by Parliament to investigate complaints that the government has denied rights under the Access to Information Act - Canada's freedom of information legislation."

Mr. Grace's report paints a scathing and disturbing picture of our public servants as they deal with Access requests from the media, interest groups and the general public.

"A culture of secrecy still flourishes in too many high places even after 15 years of life under the Access to Information Act. Too many public officials cling to the old proprietorial notion that they, and not the Act, should determine what and when information should be dispensed to the unwashed public."

Grace goes on to state that the Access law needs strengthening. Surely an understatement if I ever heard one.

"It (the Act) must be placed at the feet of governments and public servants who have chosen to whine about the rigors of access rather than embrace its noble goals; chosen not to trust the public with information that taxes have paid for. The insult is equal only to the intellectual arrogance of it all. The commitment, by word and deed, to the principle of accountability through transparency has been too often, faltering and weak-kneed."

Grace makes some simple but poignant recommendations to address this malaise. "Encourage public officials to put their obligation to the rule of law above personal fealty. Establish a work environment where ethical behaviour is rewarded. Ensure that the careers of whistle-blowers are not ruined. Penalize wrongdoers."

And most importantly - "embrace a culture of openness which doesn't shrink from exposing the inner workings of government, warts and all."

So is the government going to act on these recommendations As can be expected, mum's the word. The government isn't ready to shed its cloak of secrecy anytime soon.

Take, for example, the CTF's recent experiences with Industry Canada. We have laboured for eight months to uncover information on Corporate Welfare and still do not have a full picture of all the tax dollars doled out to some of Canada's most successful and profitable corporations - and how much they've paid back.

When we weren't certain what to ask for, we were bombarded with demands for clarifications from the department. When we knew exactly what we were after, we were stymied with delays and excuses. Finally, we were buried in disks and paper.

This secrecy and contempt for taxpayers is not confined to the bureaucracy. We need look no further than our MPs and Senators and the back room, sweetheart pay-raise deals they cooked up for themselves just before they jetted off to their constituencies or Mexican mansions. You see, Parliament itself is exempt from the Access act. How convenient!

It's high time the Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister and their civil service mandarins took a step toward restored faith in government by heeding Grace's words!