Access to government information still a challenge in Canada

In his last annual report, Canada's Information Commissioner, John Reid, critizens the federal government's "culture of secrecy" and decries recent legislative initiatives that have further limited the public's ability to hold government accountable. "Vigilance, by users, the media, academics, the judiciary, information commissioners and members of Parliament, must be maintained against the very real pressures from governments to take back from citizens, the power to control what, and when, information will be disclosed." 2004-3005 Annual Report.