SUMMARY

The purpose of this enactment is to make certain amendments to the Access to Information Act as recommended by the Information Commissioner.

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.

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.

It shortens the exemption period for Cabinet confidences from twenty to fifteen years.

Review of Cabinet confidences will be handled only by the Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner or officer 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.