Ontario Premier Doug Ford rushed retroactive FOI changes to block access to his personal phone records, linked to Green Belt concerns. federally, PM Carney’s Liberals moved key committees in camera, shielding debates on spending and ethics. Critics say both erode transparency and trust.
It was with some dismay that we witnessed actions in recent days by both the federal and provincial governments when it comes to the public’s right to know what our political masters are up to in our name.
The first, and perhaps even foremost, is the move conducted (with indecent haste we might add) by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to limit Freedom of Information and oversight access to his personal phone records. Premier Ford is famously known for giving out his personal cell number to Ontario residents so they can contact him about their concerns. A laudable effort to be sure, but he is also known for conducting government business on his personal phone. That brings it into the public realm.
The Ontario government passed an omnibus budget bill last month that includes retroactive changes to Freedom of Information laws, allowing Premier Ford and his cabinet to shield their private cellphone records from public disclosure.
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