Common Sense Conservative Bill Improves Government Transparency

February 13, 2024

13 February 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – Alex Ruff, Conservative Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen

Sound, introduced Bill C-377, An Act to Amend the Parliament of Canada Act (need to

know).

This bill will formalize the process for Parliamentarians to request a SECRET security

clearance from the Government of Canada by deeming they need access to the

information for the purposes of the processing of that request.

“Special ad hoc committees have been established to enable Parliamentarians to view

classified documents, like in the case of the Winnipeg Lab scandal. This ad hoc

process delays government accountability and transparency,” said MP Ruff.

Currently, individual Parliamentarians have a limited probability of obtaining a security

clearance unless they possess one from a previous career or have been a member of a

special committee. As a result, there have been recent impasses between the House of

Commons and the Government concerning access to classified information.

“Ultimately, this Bill would increase Parliament’s ability to take national security and

intelligence issues seriously while facilitating Parliament’s ability to not only hold the

government to account but to increase Canadians’ trust in our federal democratic

processes and institutions,” said MP Ruff. “I am hopeful that this bill will garner support

from all parties as we aim to make Parliament and the Liberal Government of Canada

more transparent and accountable to Canadians.”

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For more information:

Office of Alex Ruff, MSC, CD, MP

Phone: 519-371-1059