Access to information is a fundamental right that allows any citizen to obtain public records held by a municipality.
Pour exercer ce droit, il suffit de soumettre une demande formelle par écrite à l’administration municipale. La loi Loi sur l’accès aux documents des organismes publics et sur la protection des renseignements personnels prévoit un délai de réponse de 20 jours ouvrables, avec la possibilité d’une prolongation (généralement jusqu’à 10 jours supplémentaires).
There are some exceptions. A refusal may be invoked if the documents contain, in particular:
- personal information
- trade or business secrets
- legal opinions
- documents related to a pending decision
However, any refusal must be supported by a written explanation, citing the applicable provisions of law.
Same scenario as in 2025 in North Hatley
In my case, on February 10, 2025, I filed a request to obtain the public contract between Location des Quatre Lacs and the municipality of North Hatley regarding the management of the marina.
This document was finally sent to me… the day before my hearing before the Commission d’accès à l’information, more than 12 months after my initial request.
Let’s recall a similar scenario reported by Radio-Canada in 2025.
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2177546/north-hatley-acces-information-transparence
Two conclusions can be drawn:
- either the contract was exceptionally difficult to locate or process;
- either they counted on the applicant to give up, hoping he wouldn’t see the process through to the end.
A lengthy process for a simple public document
Enforcing this right does indeed require perseverance: filing a complaint with the Commission, filling out forms, preparing the case file, attending a hearing…
By way of comparison, similar requests submitted to the Township of Stanstead and the Township of Hatley were processed in less than 24 hours, accompanied by a courtesy call from senior management to confirm that the documents provided adequately met my expectations.
Am I the only one?
Maybe!
Conclusion
In my view, when it takes 1 year and 27 days—or 392 days—a hearing, and quasi-judicial procedures to ensure that a fundamental right is upheld, this is no longer merely an administrative delay, but a matter of governance.
