have the power to order release of government information; the federal information commissioner, Suzanne Legault, does not. Currently, the information commissioner, an ombudsman for users of the access law, can investigate complaints and recommend that records be released. Many openness advocates have called for the federal commissioner to have similar authority. Article Continued BelowDuring last year’s election campaign, the Liberals promised changes to the access regime, including new authority for the information commissioner to issue “binding orders” for disclosure of documents. Provincial commissioners in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island have powers to order release of government information.

Source: thestar May 19, 2016 17:11 UTC