# Canadian Access to Information Act reform concerns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-access-to-information-act-reform-concerns > Updated: 2026-09-07T02:19:08.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 3. Legal experts and advocacy groups in Canada have raised concerns regarding proposed amendments to the Access to Information Act introduced by the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney. A central point of contention is the potential restriction on accessing ‘ephemeral’ documents, such as email exchanges. Andrew Koltun of the Canadian Immigration Lawyers’ Association argued that excluding these records is ‘antithetical to the purpose of the act,’ emphasizing that the decision-making process is as vital as the final results. The Centre québécois du droit de l'environnement (CQDE) similarly warned that the definition of ephemeral documents could allow the government broad latitude to restrict access. Furthermore, critics are challenging proposals to extend information request processing deadlines based on an institution’s staffing levels or budget. Advocates maintain that the effectiveness of this quasi-constitutional right should not be contingent upon an organization’s administrative or budgetary decisions. Groups such as Vigilance OGM have already reported significant delays, noting that some requests take years to process. Expanding the critique, lawyer and writer Matt Malone has released a book arguing that Canada’s access-to-information regime is failing and falling behind international transparency standards. Malone warns that the proposed reforms may ultimately make the regime even less effective. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: Corie Walsh charged with murder in death of 2-year-old son An Illinois mother, Corie Walsh, faces first-degree murder charges for the death of her 2-year-old son, allegedly claiming he was the ‘devil’ during a psychotic episode. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canadas-government-transparency-criticized-in-new-book ### 2026-08-13: Canada access to information law changes spark legal concerns Canadian immigration and environmental lawyers are raising alarms over proposed changes to access to information laws that could restrict access to ephemeral documents and extend processing delays. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-access-to-information-law-changes-spark-legal-concerns ### 2026-08-09: Canada Access to Information Act changes spark legal concerns Canadian lawyers and rights groups warn that proposed changes to the Access to Information Act could limit transparency by excluding ephemeral documents like emails and extending processing deadlines. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-access-to-information-act-proposed-changes-spark-legal-concerns --- Cite as: Canadian Access to Information Act reform concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-access-to-information-act-reform-concerns