C-699
Second Session, Forty-first Parliament,
62-63-64 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014-2015
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-699
An Act to amend the Access to Information Act (scientific research)
first reading, June 18, 2015
Ms. May
412313
SUMMARY
This enactment amends the Access to Information Act to require the designated Minister to publish all records composed in whole or in part of publicly funded scientific research not later than six months following the conclusion of the research as well as on an ongoing basis.
Available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
2nd Session, 41st Parliament,
62-63-64 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014-2015
house of commons of canada
BILL C-699
An Act to amend the Access to Information Act (scientific research)
Whereas the free pursuit of scientific knowledge is a central pillar of a healthy democracy and a prosperous, 21st-century society;
Whereas the dissemination of scientific research — a fundamental public good — is critical both for popular education and the furthering of knowledge;
Whereas there is no legitimate reason that research conducted by scientists of the Government of Canada or financed by Canadian taxpayers should be withheld from the Canadian public;
Whereas the government of the day should not be allowed to dictate, based on partisan political considerations, which publicly funded science belongs in the public domain and which should be withheld;
And whereas the proactive, transparent and timely disclosure of research findings produced by Government of Canada scientists is best ensured through the enactment of a legal obligation;
Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
SHORT TITLE
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Public Access to Science Act.
R.S., c. A-1
ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT
2. Section 5 of the Access to Information Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (4):
Publication of publicly funded scientific research
(5) The designated Minister shall cause all records composed in whole or in part of publicly funded scientific research, including any paper, report or analysis conducted by, or in collaboration with, persons employed in the public sector, or funded, in whole or in part, by the Government of Canada or any of its agencies or Crown corporations, to be published
(a) not later than six months following the conclusion of the research; and
(b) on an ongoing basis.
For greater certainty
(6) For greater certainty, the disclosure of records referred to in subsection (5) is subject to any relevant exceptions and exclusions under this Act.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons
