TIME FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT IN OTTAWA
Martin and Siksay to introduce former Information Commissioner’s Open Government Act today

OTTAWA - New Democrat Treasury Board critic Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre) introduced a bill today to reform Canada's freedom of information law. The bill is based on former Information Commissioner John Reid's draft bill, the Open Government Act.

"Regular Canadians have a right to know what their government is up to," said Martin. "Public scrutiny makes for better governance and deters waste, inefficiency, patronage, and corruption."

"Sunlight is a powerful disinfectant. Freedom of information laws have that effect on Government operations," said Martin.

Martin's bill was seconded by NDP Ethics Critic Bill Siksay (Burnaby Douglas). The New Democrat MPs pointed out that in opposition, Stephen Harper called for reform of Access to Information laws. And then while running to become Prime Minister, he promised to introduce Reid's Open Government Act.

"This government promised Open Government but has become just as secretive as previous governments," said Siksay. "We are going to bring this bill to committee and challenge all parties to deliver on the Prime Minister's promise of open government."

Martin and Siksay signalled that New Democrats would be happy to support amendments from other parties - and experts in the field - to strengthen the bill.

"The point here is that Freedom of Information in this country has been stalled for the past decade, allowing Canada to fall further and further behind," said Siksay. "I am going to ask the Access to Information Committee to urgently take up this challenge."

"This issue truly strikes at the very heart of our democracy," said Martin. "Canadians have a right to know what their government is doing; access to that information is a fundamental tenet of democracy."

"We can live up to our responsibilities as Members of Parliament by passing the Open Government Act before the end of the year."

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