Morning Update: Ottawa recommends timelines for access to historical records

News Snapshot:

Good morning, The federal government is advising public servants to begin releasing historical records after designated timelines, a significant shift in public policy that for decades has kept information hidden from Canadians. The Treasury Board announced yesterday that it was introducing “sunset clauses” – which establish a date at which sensitive records can be released, often 20, 25 or 30 years after their creation – for federal records. These clauses are common in democracies around the world. But Canada had no process in place to open decades-old records that were once deemed sensitive. The situation has led to a crisis...