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The purpose of this enactment is to make certain amendments to the
Access to Information Act as recommended by the Information
Commissioner.
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It makes Cabinet confidences mandatory exemptions as opposed to
exclusions. This results in the withholding being subject to independent
review under the Act, rather than the entire Act being inapplicable to
them.
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It excludes from the exemption documents that refer to, but do not
reveal the substance of Cabinet confidences and certain other
documents such as the summaries prepared to promulgate or facilitate
the execution of policies, that relate to public health or safety or
environmental damage or that in the clear public interest should be
disclosed.
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It shortens the exemption period for Cabinet confidences from
twenty to fifteen years.
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Review of Cabinet confidences will be handled only by the
Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner or officers who have
received the appropriate security clearance. In Federal Court the special
procedures existing for other sensitive matters such as defence will be
followed when Cabinet confidences are being dealt with.
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