N.B. universities will soon be under Access to Info Act

The New Brunswick government tabled a bill this week that will bring universities and other institutions under the Access to Information Act.

Public universities and colleges, municipalities, regional health authorities,  school districts, and other bodies will now be required to release information requested by the public and media. The act will also create an Access to Information and Privacy Commissioner, who will take the responsibilities from the provincial ombudsperson.

Bernard Richard, the current ombudsperson, has long called on the government to amend the Act. Aside from being ombudsperson, Richard also handles the duty of child and youth advocate.