Dean Beeby

Opinion: Lawyers are the ‘black hole’ of money laundering. Why is Canada turning a blind eye? Canada’s 2025 national risk assessment rates lawyers and Quebec notaries as having a ‘high vulnerability’ to money-laundering risks

A FINTRAC report found $8B in suspicious transactions involving the Cdn legal profession from 2017 to 2020. "A heavily redacted version of that document was obtained by ... Ken Rubin ... under the Access to Information Act ..." theglobeandmail.com/business/com... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #fintrac

Documents related to Summit coal decision raise more questions about Alberta Energy Regulator’s independence Regulator’s CEO sought ‘input’ from Energy Minister’s chief of staff on a motion to cancel hearings about a proposed mine

Documents related to Summit coal decision raise more questions about Alberta Energy Regulator’s independence. By
Emma Graney. "The e-mails were uncovered by a freedom of information request by two environmental groups ..."
theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... #cdnfoi #altafoi #altapoli

Protected state secret: Canada's gift to the King and Queen. Move along, nothing to see here. #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #broken

CFIA monitoring U.S. move away from science-based decision making, documents show The ‘U.S. Risk Task Team’ will keep an eye on the impact of regulatory changes on food imports

CFIA monitoring U.S. move away from science-based decision making, internal documents show. "The documents were obtained from Ottawa researcher Ken Rubin, who received them through access to information ..."
theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #cfia

Ontario government says withheld LCBO inventory of U.S. booze is a cabinet secret | CBC News Documents obtained by CBC News reveal an effort by the Ontario government to hide details about the LCBO's inventory of American alcohol, valued at approximately $79.1 million at cost, pulled from sto...

After an FOI request, LCBO refuses to say what U.S. liquor is in its cellar — citing 'cabinet confidence.' CBC is appealing.
By Colin Butler.
cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli

PM Carney was advised to push back on Trump if provoked in April… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

PM Carney was advised to push back on Trump if provoked in April call, says memo obtained under the Access to Information Act. ‪@jimbronskill.bsky.social‬
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/02/p... #nationlnewswatch #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

'Inherited a mess': CSIS employees applaud director's blunt memo on 'systemic' issues at spy agency A stark June memo from the director of Canada’s spy agency highlighting culture and morale issues at the service was applauded by employees.

'Inherited a mess': CSIS employees applaud director's blunt memo on 'systemic' issues at spy agency. By Christopher Nardi
"National Post obtained a dozen pages of CSIS emails via access to information request."
coldlakesun.com/news/inherit... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #csis

3 women murdered. The score for the killer's probation officer? 'Target met' | CBC News A rare disclosure of probation records reveals that two days after a repeat domestic violence offender murdered three ex-partners while on probation, his probation officer was given the highest score ...

Terrific digging here by CBC Ottawa's crime reporter Kristy Nease, who fought for parole/probation records under Ont's FOI law. Nease's story reveals a disturbing lack of concern for the women targets of a killer's violence.
cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli

Should access-to-information law be changed to lighten the load of an overstressed public service? A former director general explains why there is no 'silver bullet' to reduce the volume of access-to-information requests.

Should access-to-information law be changed to lighten the load of an overstressed public service? ottawacitizen.com/public-servi... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Yes, Freedom of Information Is Broken. But Don’t Blame Workers Like Me | The Tyee I process FOIs and see the need first-hand. Give us more resources to do our jobs.

Yes, Freedom of Information Is Broken. But Don't Blame Workers Like Me. By Robert McLelland. thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025... #cdnfoi #bcfoi #bcpoli

Scotiabank told feds earlier this year layoffs were coming, briefing note shows The document, published by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in May, was a question period note — briefing material meant to prepare elected officials if specific topics are brought up b...

Scotiabank told feds earlier this year layoffs were coming: briefing note. By Ana Pereira. This story is based on a Question Period note proactively published under a provision of the Access to Information Act, tho in apparently in error. thestar.com/business/sco... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Longer waits under Manitoba information law - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca The Manitoba government has been taking longer to respond to freedom of information requests and collecting more money from people filing them, newly released figures show.

Longer waits under Manitoba information law. By CP's
@stevelambert.bsky.social

globalnews.ca/news/1148470... #cdnfoi #mbfoi #mbpoli

CSIS lacked proper policies, procedures to manage new secret… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

CSIS lacked proper policies, procedures to manage secret technology. "Canadian Press obtained a heavily redacted version of the intelligence review agency's top secret report through the Access to Information Act." By Jim Bronskill
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/10/14/c... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #csis

Shifting global picture disrupted Canada's national security strategy… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

Shifting global picture disrupted Canada's national security strategy update: memo. "The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the heavily redacted March 20 note through the Access to Information Act." By Jim Bronskill
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/10/12/s... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Wind a factor in Wolfe Island ferry crash, but reports from MTO, captain disagree on cause | CBC News Separate reports offer conflicting explanations for the crash that tore a hole in the Wolfe Islander IV's hull after it was blown off course last December. An MTO investigation blames a delayed respon...

Ont agency failed to save ‘crucial’ data after Wolfe Island ferry crash, report shows. Based on documents obtained under freedom-of-info. By CBC's Dan Taekema
cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli

Nova Scotia Rushes Through New Access to Information Act 9 October 2025. The Canadian province of Nova Scotia rushed through a new Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP Act) in just one week, without providing any opportunity for t…

If you blinked, you missed this Nova Scotia 'transparency' legislation being passed. law-democracy.org/nova-scotia-... #cdnfoi #nsfoi #nspoli

St. Michael’s Hospital fraud surfaced with four brown envelopes sent to Globe and Mail journalists The anonymous tip urged reporters to look into a $300-million contract awarded to Bondfield and triggered a lengthy investigation by The Globe

Why larger newsrooms still matter: the Globe and Mail had to fight a $125 million lawsuit to have this story told: "St. Michael’s Hospital fraud surfaced with four brown envelopes sent to Globe and Mail journalists" theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #cdnpoli #cdnmedia

How fraudsters are using crypto ATMs to launder millions from Canadian scam victims | CBC News A CBC News investigation revealed that cryptocurrency machines — which operate legally in Canada — have become the main vehicle fraudsters use to get money from scam victims across the country.

Part of this investigation into crypto ATMs relied on federal access-to-info requests to FINTRAC. By Nicole Brockbank
and CBC team.

cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #fintrac

Spy watchdog flags risk of bias in Canada Revenue Agency audits tied to terrorism OTTAWA — A national spy watchdog has found "a lack of rigour" in the way the Canada Revenue Agency selects charities for audits over terrorism concerns, saying the process introduces risks of bias and...

Spy watchdog flags risk of bias in Canada Revenue Agency charity audits tied to terrorism. "The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the intelligence watchdog's report through the Access to Information Act."
@jimbronskill.bsky.social
timescolonist.com/national-new... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #cra

These are the bike lanes Doug Ford’s government wants to take out first, according to internal documents Documents obtained by the Star via a freedom of information request describe “priority removal sections” for the Bloor and Yonge street bike lanes.

These are the bike lanes Doug Ford's gov't wants to take out first, according to documents obtained under freedom-of-info. By Andy Takagi. thestar.com/news/gta/the... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli

The absurdities of Fortress Privacy Privacy can threaten the public good

A new substack from me: The absurdities of Fortress Privacy
deanbeeby.substack.com/p/the-absurd... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #cdnpoli #ontpoli

Carney's office slammed by access-to-info orders Privy Council Office struggling under huge "burden"

New substack from me: PM Carney's office slammed by access-to-info orders
deanbeeby.substack.com/p/carneys-of... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

A May 26, 2025, briefing note to the president of the Treasury Board - obtained under access-to-info -outlines details of a legislated review of the Access to Information Act. Here are two key pages - see whether you can spot any problem here. #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #broken

Ottawa abusing access to information law to avoid releasing documents, watchdog says The Information Commissioner is calling on the government to stop relying on legal exemptions she says are overused

Ottawa abusing access-to-information law to avoid releasing documents, watchdog says. By Marie Woolf
theglobeandmail.com/politics/art... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Bill 150 - Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act BILL NO. 150 (as introduced) 1st Session, 65th General Assembly Nova Scotia 4 Charles III, 2025   Government Bill   Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act   The Honourable Becky Druhan A...

Nova Scotia gov't under Tim Houston introduces reforms to freedom-of-info law today - but still no order-making power given to info commissioner, as Houston promised Nova Scotians way back in 2021. #cdnfoi #nsfoi #nspoli
nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/6...

Tesla used bots to run the bank on millions in Canadian EV rebates — but didn't fake sales: gov't probe obtained under access-to-info. By Marco Chown Oved
thestar.com/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Tdy at ETHI, info commiss reminded committee tt "Section 99.1 of the Act provides for a [5-yr] review of the Act by a parliamentary committee." Will ETHI formally review the Access to Info Act so we are not stuck with a govt-only review?
oic-ci.gc.ca/en/canadas-a... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Info commissioner tells Commons committee tt federal government's "performance deficiencies" + "persistent culture of secrecy" lead to repeated violations of the Access to Information Act.
oic-ci.gc.ca/en/resources... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #broken

Manitoba cabinet briefing on landfill search for murder victims not… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

Manitoba cabinet briefing on landfill search for murder victims being withheld under province's freedom-of-info law. By
@stevelambertwpg

nationalnewswatch.com/2025/09/14/m... #cdnfoi #mbafoi #mbapoli

Transition books for Carney's ministers, sometimes known as briefing books, were proactively released today (Friday) under the Access to Information Act. See them here:
search.open.canada.ca/opendata/?co... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli