Between promises and reality, the Trudeau administration has accustomed us to some rather embarrassing discrepancies.
When it comes to openness and transparency, we have another unfortunate example.
Remember, Prime Minister Trudeau promised us the most open government in history.
After Stephen Harper’s strict regime, everyone gave the runner a chance.
What about seven years and three elections later?
In her annual report to the House of Commons, Canada’s Information Commissioner questions “the government’s obligation to have access to information”.
A complaint log
Caroline Maynard wants proof of this in particular from the absolute record number of new complaints that her office received last year, namely 6,945.
This is a meteoric 70% increase from 4068 last year.
In 2020 there were 6172, in 2019 2467 and in 2018 2597.
Immigration Canada (4198), Border Services Agency (789), RCMP (458), Canada Revenue Agency (153) and Privy Council Office – i.e. the Prime Minister’s Department – (110) top the list of fools.
What is Ottawa doing to ensure its departments can respond to requests for information from citizens or journalists in a timely manner?
Little.
The latest federal budget offers “very little funding,” complains Caroline Maynard, who is halfway through her seven-year term.
More generally, Ms Maynard says she is “dismayed” that transparency “is conspicuous by its absence” from the list of federal priorities.
No mood
Need we remind you that our ability – all of us citizens – to get relevant information from our governments is no whim?
On the contrary, it is an integral part of the moral contract that binds them to the good people who govern them.
Especially in this era of misinformation and distrust of institutions.
“Openness and transparency allow government to gain the social license needed to implement policies to address major disruptions and improve our lives,” writes Maynard.
“We’ve seen what happens when people lose faith in official sources of information: they can turn to unreliable sources where disinformation and misinformation can thrive. »
Getting answers from the federal government is an obstacle course.
It’s like trying to spoon your way through armor.
The arrival of the Liberals in Ottawa did not change that.
Controlling information remains the norm.
As usual.
