The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
has the honour to present its
SEVENTEENTH REPORT
THURSDAY, March 11, 1999
Your Committee, to which was referred, Bill C-208, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act, in obedience to the Order of Reference of Thursday, February 11, 1999, has examined the said Bill and now reports the same without amendment.
Attached as an appendix to this Report are the observations of your Committee on Bill C-208.
Respectfully submitted
LOWELL MURRAY
Chairman
APPENDIX TO THE REPORT
Your Committee encourages the Senate to consider a review of the impact of this Bill three years from the date of proclamation.
Your Committee urges the Department of Justice and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to prepare guidelines for officials regarding their obligations under this Bill. In addition, the Committee believes that efforts should be made to inform public servants of their obligations.
Also, your Committee heard testimony that a review of access to information and privacy legislation is long overdue. Your Committee therefore urges the federal government to conduct a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.