Proactive Publication Guidance - Access to Information Act
What is Proactive Publication?
In 2019, Bill C-58 received royal assent, bringing into force the most significant changes to the Access to Information Act (ATIA) since it's inception in 1983. Amongst several important changes was the introduction of Part II: Proactive Publication of Information. Proactive Publications are records considered to be of public interest that government bodies subject to the Act must publish on a scheduled basis. Examples of proactive publication materials include briefing memos, travel and hospitality expenses incurred by senior officers, specific contracting information and more. All government Proactive Publication materials are available on the Open Government Portal for a minimum of 10 years following publication.
What Proactive Publication requirements are government departments subject to?
The Act differentiates between three types of government bodies that are subject to Proactive Publication requirements:
- Government Institutions: Crown Corporations & institutions named in schedule I of the ATIA
- Government Entities (majority of government bodies subject to the ATIA): Government bodies named in schedules I, I.1 or II of the Financial Administration Act
- Ministers: includes the Prime Minister and any Minister of State or Associate Minister
While additional requirements vary depending on the type of government body, all bodies subject to Part II must publish travel & hospitality expenses of senior officers and reports tabled in Parliament.
A separate, detailed GCWiki page is available with information specific to Crown Corporations.
| ATIA Section | Government Body | Requirement | Publication Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | Institutions Crown Corporations & ATIA Schedule I Bodies | Travel expenses incurred by a senior officer or employee of a government institution | Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement |
| 83 | Institutions Crown Corporation & ATIA Schedule I Bodies | Hospitality expenses incurred by a senior officer or employee of a government institution | Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement |
| 84 | Institutions Crown Corporation & ATIA Schedule I Bodies | Any report tabled in Parliament under an Act of Parliament | Within 30 days after the day on which it is tabled |
| 85 | Bodies noted in FAA Schedules I & IV | Reclassification of positions | Within 30 days after the quarter |
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