2012-2013 Information Commissioner is investigating a complaint made by the Environmental Law Clinic of the University of Victoria and Democracy Watch
Ottawa, April 2, 2013 – Pursuant to paragraph 30(1)(f) of the Access to Information Act (the Act), the Information Commissioner is investigating a complaint, made by the Environmental Law Clinic of the University of Victoria and Democracy Watch. The complaint is alleging that government policies and policy instruments, including departmental policies, protocols, guidelines and directives, that are related to communications and media relations and that restrict or prohibit government scientists from speaking with or sharing research with the media and the Canadian public, are impeding the right of access to information under the Act.
The seven institutions included in this investigation are:
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Department of the Environment
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans
- Department of National Defence
- Department of Natural Resources
- National Research Council of Canada
- Treasury Board Secretariat
The Information Commissioner’s investigations are conducted in private.