A key component of access to justice is transparency of information from governments and agencies. CELA worked on early efforts that among other things eventually led to adoption of freedom of information legislation. At the time of this brief from the archives, CELA staff were describing some of the types of information that were not available to the public. This brief drove home the point by including examples from the sublime to the silly. It also showed how reluctant government departments of the day were to share information, often for specious reasons.
We often still have struggles for full transparency in environmental decision making today, but at least we have robust freedom of information statutes applicable to municipal, provincial and federal governments. The presence of independent commissioners to oversee these statutes is also key, along with appeal rights for the public."
