Harper pledges to strengthen Access to Information Act and protect whistleblowers

Opposition leader Stephen Harper has announced that, if elected, the Conservatives will introduce major measures to increase federal transparency and accountability.

The federal Liberals promised major initiatives to increase transparency, but FIPA and other watchdogs have taken them to task for introducing ineffective whistleblower legislation and failing to carry through with reform of the Access to Information Act.

The Conservatives say their proposed Federal Accountability Act will, among other things, strengthen the federal Access to Information Act and provide “real protection for whistleblowers.”

Among other measures, the Conservatives promise to:

Strengthen access to information legislation

• Implement the Information Commissioner’s recommendations for reform of the Access to Information Act.
• Give the Information Commissioner the power to order the release of information.
• Expand the coverage of the act to all Crown corporations, Officers of Parliament, foundations and organizations that spend taxpayers’ money or perform public functions.

Provide protection for whistleblowers