Canada's information regulators call for action to help small public bodies uphold access to information rights

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's information regulators are calling on their respective governments to better equip small public bodies to meet their access to information obligations with sufficient resources, guidance, and technological tools and to leverage capacity by facilitating information-sharing, communities of practice, and networking opportunities between them.

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Canada's federal, provincial and territorial information commissioners and ombuds responsible for overseeing access to information adopted a joint resolution on Enhancing Access to Information Held by Small Public Bodies at their annual meeting in Ottawa on September 15, 2026.

The resolution underscores the vital role of small public bodies -- such as municipalities, school boards, police services boards, and many others -- in upholding democratic accountability across Canada. Small public bodies oversee many important matters that warrant public scrutiny, such as zoning decisions, environmental assessments, public safety initiatives, and by-law enforcement. However, they often operate without the staff, funding, expertise, and technology they need to meet their access to information obligations. These resource constraints can lead to delays, inconsistent practices, and other hurdles affecting the public's ability to access information.

The regulators emphasize that individuals' right to access public records should not be limited by the size and capacity constraints of a public body.

The resolution calls on Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial governments to provide small public bodies with the resources, training, and digital tools needed to respond effectively to access requests, as well as to promote modern records management, provide practical support, facilitate networking and shared-service models, and ensure fees do not create barriers to timely access.

It calls on small public bodies to design their programs to be transparent by default, expand their proactive disclosure of records, establish sound records management and invest in staff training, collaborate and share resources with other public bodies, and provide meaningful assistance to applicants throughout the request process.

The resolution also includes a commitment by the regulators to continue supporting small public bodies through guidance, education, and outreach, encouraging collaboration, identifying emerging challenges, and advocating for the legislative, policy, and operational measures needed to keep access to information "meaningful, effective, and accessible for all Canadians."

Quote from Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner

"Every day, small public bodies interact with Ontarians on important aspects of their lives that touch them directly, as well as their families and communities.  As regulators, our collective goal is to help build and leverage capacity among these small public bodies so they can meet their access to information obligations in a timely and meaningful way and embrace a broader culture of public transparency through open data and proactive disclosure. A healthy democracy begins closest to home, when people can trust their local governments to be transparent about decisions and actions affecting their day to day lives."

Patricia Kosseim, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Related documents: 
Joint resolution: Enhancing Access to Information Held by Small Public Bodies  

News release: Canada's information and privacy regulators collaborate to advance transparency, privacy and accountability amid rapid technological change 

SOURCE Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

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