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Debate around free expression today is fraught with confusion about true intentions and genuine meanings. Persistent and aggressive challenging of who has the right to define free expression, and an often intentional blurring of that definition can arrest discussion or send argument flying off into hyper-critical and combative corners of social media where it is often scattered and dispersed by bias and filters.

By Ken Rubin October 9, 2017 - Successive bureaucrats have wanted to put dampers on the public use of access to information legislation. Now they have found hope in Bill C-58 and a willing dupe in Treasury Board President Scott Brison. While Prime Minister Trudeau can be counted on to have flights of open government flowery rhetoric, faceless bureaucrats have held to their beliefs that access users are to be tamed.

Lawyers have an integral role in the maintenance of the reputation of the administration of justice. However, in situations where the administration of justice is already in disrepute, the role that lawyers can play is not entirely clear. Clients may ask lawyers to provide advice regarding actions that violate the letter of the law in furtherance of making a change to law or policy. In these cases, lawyers’ professional ethics are challenged.

  The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada  Office of the Prime Minister  80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2   Dear Prime Minister,  We are deeply disappointed with your government’s access to information legislation, Bill C-58, that is before the House of Commons this fall. At a time when many countries have far superior legislation, and on a day that celebrates internationally the public's right to know, Bill C-58 offers very little to fix our broken transparency law.