The federal minister responsible for public access to government information has advised his cabinet colleagues of the need for transparency and accountability “even in times of crisis.” In a letter sent Wednesday to his fellow ministers, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos says being open during the COVID-19 pandemic is key to ensuring public confidence.
The letter, obtained by The Canadian Press, stresses the importance of documenting government decision-making, managing sensitive files securely and making best efforts to answer requests under the Access to Information Act.
It also encourages ministers to have their institutions proactively publish as much information as possible about COVID-19 on the federal open government portal