Information Commissioner Sues Defence Minister Over Failure to Release Records on COVID Policies

Canada’s Information Commissioner has filed a lawsuit in federal court to force the Department of National Defence (DND) to provide records on its COVID-19 policies as requested through an access to information request. “The Minister’s ongoing violation of his legal duty to implement the Commissioner’s binding Order issued under the Act is contrary to the law,” says the notice of application filed on Dec. 18. It adds that the lack of responsiveness is an “abuse of process” undermining the credibility of the access to information system. Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard has previously sharply criticized the access to information system, saying its “steady decline” has led to a point where it “no longer serves its intended purpose.”...