At Library and Archives Canada (LAC), we are dedicated to preserving and sharing Canada's documentary heritage. We provide Canadians with access to the records in our care in a wide variety of ways and on a daily basis. In one form of access, however, we are falling short: completing Access to Information (ATI) requests for Government of Canada documents within the legislated timeframe.
Today, the Information Commissioner of Canada published two reports based on the results of her investigation into our difficulties meeting the deadlines set out in the Access to Information Act. We acknowledge her findings and her ten recommendations, and have already taken actions to improve the situation. As highlighted in her reports, Library and Archives Canada has faced significant challenges for a number of years in carrying out its unique responsibility for providing access to the historical records from over 150 federal departments and agencies (including records required in class action litigation and settlements against the Crown). The Commissioner recognizes that the unique role LAC plays on behalf of the Government of Canada is subject to factors that are both internal and external to the organization.
The Information Commissioner identified the lack of a national declassification program for top secret documents as a key issue that requires a government-wide solution, and this led her to table a Special Report in Parliament today. LAC has been actively involved in interdepartmental discussions and initiatives to improve declassification for a number of years and an agreed-upon process with specific timeframes for declassification would be most welcome. A whole-of-government solution in this matter would help LAC meet the legislated deadlines in the Access to Information Act.
