Jim Bronskill

Information commissioner 'disappointed' by lack of federal ambition on access reform OTTAWA — The federal information watchdog says she’s surprised that government proposals for updating the Access to Information Act avoid “the most pressing issue” dogging the system — unacceptable de...

The federal information watchdog says she’s surprised that government proposals for updating the Access to Information Act avoid “the most pressing issue” dogging the system — unacceptable delays in answering requests. Our story: tinyurl.com/4cx45rjc #cdnpoli #cdnfoi

Debate over a foreign spy service for Canada influenced by allies,… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

The decades-long debate over whether Canada should create a CIA-style foreign spy agency has been coloured by pressure from allies, budgetary restraint and internal federal rivalries, a new study reveals. Our story: tinyurl.com/mryae6xj #cdnpoli

RCMP’s much-needed reserve program grappling with numerous challenges: report Challenges with recruitment, training, resources and overall management are hindering the RCMP’s reserve program, even as reservists are being called on more than ever, says an internal evaluation rep...

Challenges with recruitment, training, resources and overall management are hindering the RCMP’s reserve program, even as reservists are being called on more than ever, says an internal evaluation report. Our story: tinyurl.com/4pd9sjmd #rcmp
#cdnpoli

Or apparently yes!

Are you sure it will be the USA?

giochi olimpici invernali, 1956: to cortina, with jack mckenzie It was on the second day of the Italian Olympics that Jack McKenzie got the job offer that would have changed his life, if he’d taken it. It was one that he could — as it turned out — refuse. And d…

As Canada's 2026 men's team prepares to go for hockey gold ... I talked to a couple of 90something members of the 1956 Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, who battled 70 years ago in Cortina for world hockey supremacy.
wp.me/p1hzck-7ie

Openness advocates unimpressed by early proposals for Access to Information reforms Advocates of more federal transparency are concerned a federal review of the Access to Information regime will not fix long-standing problems, and that it could even make things worse.

Openness advocates unimpressed by early proposals for Access to Information reforms. By @jimbronskill.bsky.social www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/27/n... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Preclearance operations in Canada are a 'critical component' of… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

Pre-clearance operations in Cda are a 'critical component' of border strategy: U.S.
Story partly informed by an access-to-info request. By @jimbronskill.bsky.social & Kyle Duggan
nationalnewswatch.com/2026/01/11/p... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

What an honour! Thank you Canadian Law Blog Awards! #clawbies2025

Today @freedom.press filed FOIA requests for records on the President’s legal authority to launch a strike on Venezuela.

We’re seeking answers, and expedited processing, from DOJ (OLC), DOD, State, FBI, CIA, NSA, and NGA.

Wars shouldn't be illegal, and they shouldn't be justified in secret.

On June 30, 2025, the federal gov't announced the removal of 53 barriers to internal trade within Cda, after a review. Speaking of barriers, here are the results of that review report, obtained under access-to-information. canada.ca/en/intergove...
#cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Grey skies over Ottawa - Rideau Canal, November 2

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.

Prime Minister Mark Carney was counselled to push back during an April call with Donald Trump if the U.S. president revived his complaints about border security, fentanyl from Canada or low defence spending, a newly released memo shows. Our story: tinyurl.com/3b9u4zzr #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

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

Canada's scientific study of oceans may be vulnerable to foreign adversaries: report Canadian ocean research is among the scientific fields that could be vulnerable to foreign espionage, theft or misuse because people overlook its value to adversaries, says a report commissioned by th...

Via @ubcoceans.bsky.social - Canada's scientific study of oceans may be vulnerable to foreign adversaries: report - @jimbronskill.bsky.social The Canadian Press via @cheknews.ca

cheknews.ca/canadas-scie...

Liberals say new anti-fraud measures coming with federal budget National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

Liberals say new anti-fraud measures coming with federal budget, @jimbronskill.bsky.social reports nationalnewswatch.com/2025/10/20/l...

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

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

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

'Proof and pledge of stability': Supreme Court of Canada marks 150 years OTTAWA — A century and a half ago, it had only six judges, no permanent home and a less than onerous workload. The Supreme Court of Canada is tracing its storied history, and somewhat humble beginning...

A century and a half ago, it had only six judges, no permanent home and a less than onerous workload. The Supreme Court of Canada is tracing its storied history, and somewhat humble beginnings, to mark its 150th anniversary this year. Our story: bit.ly/4q14eI4 #cdnpoli #scc

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

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

L’espion Kim Philby était bien renseigné selon la GRC La GRC craignait que l'espion britannique à la solde de l'Union soviétique, Kim Philby, eût répété à Moscou les confidences du transfuge Igor Gouzenko.

L’espion traître Kim Philby était bien renseigné sur le Canada, craignait la GRC

#radiocanada #grandstitres

RCMP feared traitor Kim Philby knew 'most interesting' Canadian secrets: documents OTTAWA - The early-1960s revelation that British spy Kim Philby had worked for Moscow alarmed Canadian intelligence officials who feared that he had betrayed confidences gleaned from Soviet defector I...

The early-1960s revelation that British spy Kim Philby had worked for Moscow alarmed Canadian intelligence officials who feared that he had betrayed confidences gleaned from Soviet defector Igor Gouzenko, once-secret archival records show. Our story: tinyurl.com/3ums4x2r #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Canada's federal voting system is constitutional, Ontario Court of… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

Canada's federal voting system is constitutional, Ontario Court of Appeal rules, @jimbronskill.bsky.social reports. nationalnewswatch.com/2025/08/11/c... #nationlnewswatch via @natnewswatch

As anti-sunscreen misinformation spreads online, skin cancer advocates say beware Experts warn against social media posts that claim sunscreen is toxic or give unsafe tutorials on making your own sunscreen

New from me at @theglobeandmail.com:

As anti-sunscreen misinformation spreads online, skin cancer advocates say beware

www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Why are so many federal inmates dying shortly before their release date? | CBC News Data released by the Correctional Service of Canada to CBC through a freedom of information request showed the leading cause of death for inmates serving determinate sentences between January 2019 and...

Why are so many federal inmates dying shortly before their release date? A "freedom of information request showed the leading cause of death for inmates serving determinate sentences between January 2019 and February 2025 was suicide." By Lauren Battagello
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Government blocked streaming sites for public servants as a 'people management issue,' documents show | CBC News Although streaming services like Netflix and Prime weren't straining the government's network bandwidth, federal officials decided to block them because they were perceived to be a "people management"...

Government blocked streaming sites for public servants as a 'people management issue': access-to-info documents. By
By Kate McKenna cbc.ca/news/politic... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

Workplace assessment of RCMP watchdog found 'clear call for change,'… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

Workplace assessment of RCMP watchdog found 'clear call for change': access-to-info documents. By Jim Bronskill
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/07/20/w... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #rcmp