5-YEAR WAIT FOR HEALTH HEAD'S EMAILS.
ACCESS TO INFO ACT
OTTAWA • A Canadian seeking access to a week's worth of emails and messages from the head of a federal agency embroiled in controversy has been told to wait five years or more for a response under Canada's information law.
The applicant recently asked the Public Health Agency of Canada for emails, texts and messages that president Iain Stewart had sent or received from June 14 to 21.
The request under the Access to Information Act was prompted by curiosity about Stewart's refusal to provide a House of Commons committee with unredacted documents about the firing of two scientists, which touched off a battle with Speaker Anthony Rota.
The Canadian Press granted the requester anonymity because they are concerned about the possible implications of publicity for their employment as an Ontario public servant.
Under federal access law, agencies are supposed to answer requests within 30 days or provide reasons why more time is needed.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recently informed the applicant that an extension of up to 1,950 days — over five years and four months — would be required. It said the request involves a large number of records, the original time limit would unduly interfere with agency operations and another government institution must be consulted.
The Public Health Agency had no immediate further comment. The requester and experts in freedom of information said the lengthy extension defeats the purpose of the access law.
“Transparency is only a lame catchphrase,” said the applicant. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The applicant has complained to federal information commissioner Caroline Maynard in the hope she will remedy the delay.
“She has the chance to take bold action and finally hold federal bureaucrats to account — especially on such a pressing issue of public interest,” said the applicant.
Fred Vallance-jones, an associate professor of journalism at University of King's College in Halifax, said the extension amounts to “something like eight months of additional time for each single day of messages, which seems absurd on its surface.”
“It's important to note that Stewart is a very senior official, and there is every expectation that his communications would be preserved and accessible,” Vallance-jones said.
“Access to information loses any meaning if information cannot be retrieved in a reasonable amount of time and I think that is doubly true for people at this level who should be able to anticipate such requests.”