Access to Information in Canada is marred by Delays, Redactions, and Rising Costs

This week on NOW and NEXT:A shrinking landscape for transparency. In this episode of Now and Next, Dave Trafford sits down with veteran journalist Dean Beeby to examine why fewer Canadians — including journalists — are filing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.Beeby reflects on how FOI once powered major investigative work, but today faces systemic delays, heavy redactions, vague legal definitions, and rising administrative costs that produce fewer results. As journalism accelerates toward instant reaction and digital churn, governments have slowed the machinery of transparency. The result? A system that often delivers information long after its “best before” date — if at all.The conversation explores the collapse of newsroom resources, the inefficiencies of paper-based government systems in a digital era, escalating court battles over mandate letters and cellphone records, and why legal ambiguity benefits bureaucracy.Yet there is a modest bright spot: the federal Information Commissioner’s expanded authority to order document releases.This episode asks a critical question: What are we losing when depth gives way to speed — and transparency becomes optional?Chapters00:00 – IntroductionDT introduces Dean Beeby and the shrinking use of FOI requests.01:07 – Journalism’s Speed vs. Government’s SlowdownWhy reporters are abandoning FOI as delays grow longer.06:07 – Delays, Redactions & Fewer UsersHeavily censored documents and falling public participation.11:20 – Paper Systems in a Digital AgeGovernment inefficiencies driving rising costs.16:23 – Legal Battles & The Push for ReformMandate letters, cellphone records, and the Information Commissioner’s new powers.You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and XAnd you can leave us a voice comment here!For more information go to Dave's website.