Alberta Government Wins Secrecy Award After Violating FOIP Laws
Event summary
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government won the 2025 Code of Silence Award for violating its own freedom-of-information laws.
- An investigation found Alberta required applicants to limit requests to one topic, split multiple-topic requests, and restrict time frames to 12 months.
- The province replaced its FOIP Act with two new laws: the Access to Information Act (ATIA) in June 2025 and the Protection of Privacy Act in December 2025.
- Critics argue ATIA further limits transparency by exempting communications between political staff and ministers from disclosure.
The big picture
Alberta's government has faced repeated criticism for limiting access to information, a trend that aligns with broader concerns about declining transparency in Canadian provincial governments. The replacement of the FOIP Act with more restrictive laws suggests a strategic shift toward greater secrecy, which could have long-term implications for public accountability and trust in governance.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Compliance
- Whether Alberta will implement the commissioner's recommendations to cease non-compliant actions and establish clearer policies.
- Government Transparency
- How the new ATIA laws will affect public access to information, particularly regarding communications between political staff and ministers.
- Public Trust
- The impact of increased secrecy on public trust in Alberta's government and its potential effects on future elections.