Dean Beeby
LightNews LightNews
banner
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Dean Beeby
@deanbeeby.bsky.social
200 followers 80 following 180 posts
Independent Canadian author and journalist, specialist in freedom-of-information laws, Ottawa-based. deanbeeby.ca | deanbeeby.substack.com. Author of 'Murder in Renfrew County' (2024, Lorimer); 'Mass Murder, Police Mayhem' (2023, Formac).
Posts Replies Media Videos
deanbeeby.bsky.social
God Save the King ... from nosy reporters like me. Obtained under the Access to Blank Pages Act.
#cdnfoi #cdnpoli
November 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Hundreds of animals killed by trains on B.C. railroads, documents reveal. "Documents [were] obtained by The Narwhal through freedom of information requests to the B.C. government and shared with CBC News ..."
cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #bcfoi #bcpoli
Hundreds of animals killed by trains on B.C. railroads, documents reveal. So, what’s being done to stop it? | CBC News
Documents obtained through freedom of information requests by The Narwhal and shared with CBC News show hundreds of animals have been killed in collisions with trains on B.C. tracks owned by Canada's ...
cbc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 12:07 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Ontario watchdog ‘intervening’ after solicitor general ignores her transparency orders regarding FOI requests. globalnews.ca/news/1154356... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli
Ontario watchdog ‘intervening’ after solicitor general ignores transparency orders | Globalnews.ca
There have been several instances in recent years where the IPC has told the solicitor general's office to release information, only for the government to ignore the decree.
globalnews.ca
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Transit violence rising across Canada — in some cities, by nearly 300%. Joint investigation by IJF and CBC drew in part on documents obtained under freedom-of-info.
cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli
Transit violence rising across Canada — in some cities, by nearly 300% | CBC News
A joint investigation by CBC News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation has found that transit violence in some of Canada's biggest municipalities remains well above pre-pandemic levels, despite...
cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Freedom of the Press foundation along with actor John Cusack urges newsrooms to drop paywalls on their FOI-based stories. “They’re public records for a reason. They don’t belong behind a paywall,” said a spokesperson.
gijn.org/stories/free...
youtube.com/shorts/WZf1L... #foi
The Case for Free Access to FOIA-Based Public Documents Reporting
Full, unpaywalled access to public records reporting is not only good for democracy, it can increase reader trust and bolster sustainability.
gijn.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:33 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Roughly 500,000 Canadians left emergency rooms before seeing a doctor last year, data shows. The "analysis is based on data [CBC] and the Montreal Economic Institute received through freedom of information requests."
cbc.ca/news/marketp... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli
Canadians are leaving emergency departments before seeing a doctor — and coming back worse | CBC Shows
About half a million people left emergency departments across Canada before being seen by a doctor last year, according to data analysis by CBC’s Marketplace.
cbc.ca
November 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
On June 30, 2025, the federal gov't announced the removal of 53 barriers to internal trade within Cda, after a review. Speaking of barriers, here are the results of that review report, obtained under access-to-information. canada.ca/en/intergove...
#cdnfoi #cdnpoli
November 20, 2025 at 12:29 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
ICYMI - Queen Camilla was sworn to cabinet as a Canadian privy councillor on May 26, 2025. This helpful memo to PM Carney, obtained thru access-to-info, explains why. #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #BROKEN
November 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
New from me, for the IJF: RCMP cadet removed from training program following sexual assault charge. Story based on Access to Information Act request.
theijf.org/rcmp-cadet-s...
#cdnfoi #cdnpoli #rcmp
RCMP cadet removed from training program following sexual assault charge
Incident raises questions about whether ‘toxic culture’ persists at Regina training centre
theijf.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Shoppers Drug Mart billed Ont gov't $81M for MedsChecks over 2 years, even as COVID services waned. Data obtained through a freedom-of-info request. By @nicolebrockbank & Angela King.
cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/shoppers-drug-mart-medscheck-billing-9.6981970 #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli
Shoppers Drug Mart billed $81M for MedsChecks in 2 years when COVID services waned | CBC News
Shoppers Drug Mart billed the Ontario government’s MedsCheck program $81.2 million for medication reviews over a two-year period when some of its current and former pharmacists said they were facing “...
cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 12:31 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Centre for Access to Information & Justice presents:
"Freedom of Information Requests and Social Science Research"
With Tandeep Sidhu (UManitoba), Katrin Roots (Wilfrid Laurier University) and others
Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 3 p.m. ET
Audience Zoom link:
us06web.zoom.us/j/84182363642
November 16, 2025 at 1:21 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Top Durham cops oversaw 'poisoned' work culture rife with favouritism and harassment, report reveals. "The Star obtained a partial copy through a freedom-of-information request." By Abby O’Brien.
thestar.com/news/gta/top... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli
Top Durham cops oversaw ‘poisoned’ work culture rife with favouritism and harassment, report reveals
The Star has obtained a redacted copy of the report that officials have previously refused to release, and, for the first time, is able to publicly reveal some of its
thestar.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Health Canada won't explain $20M in pharmaceuticals lost from national stockpile. By CP's Sarah Ritchie
Admirable digging here into the newly released Public Accounts of Canada (2025), which can be a trove of off-agenda stories.
nsnews.com/national-new... #cdnpoli
Health Canada won't explain $20M in pharmaceuticals lost from national stockpile
OTTAWA — The Public Health Agency of Canada lost more than $20 million worth of pharmaceutical products from the national stockpile this year because of what it calls a "temperature deviation.
nsnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:24 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Ontario’s vow to unmask owners of shell companies puts pressure on Alberta. By Rita Trichur. "A redacted version [of a document] was obtained by Ottawa-based researcher Ken Rubin through a request made under the Access to Information Act."
theglobeandmail.com/business/com... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli
Opinion: Ontario’s vow to unmask owners of shell companies puts pressure on Alberta to follow
Ontario is set to provide police, securities regulators and tax authorities with a new tool to catch financial criminals
theglobeandmail.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Top Durham cops oversaw 'poisoned' work culture rife with favouritism and harassment, report reveals. Document was obtained under Ontario's freedom-of-info law. By Abby O’Brien.
thestar.com/news/gta/top... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli
Top Durham cops oversaw ‘poisoned’ work culture rife with favouritism and harassment, report reveals
The Star has obtained a redacted copy of the report that officials have previously refused to release, and, for the first time, is able to reveal some of its findings.
thestar.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:12 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
A FINTRAC report found $8B in suspicious transactions involving the Cdn legal profession from 2017 to 2020. "A heavily redacted version of that document was obtained by ... Ken Rubin ... under the Access to Information Act ..." theglobeandmail.com/business/com... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #fintrac
Opinion: Lawyers are the ‘black hole’ of money laundering. Why is Canada turning a blind eye?
Canada’s 2025 national risk assessment rates lawyers and Quebec notaries as having a ‘high vulnerability’ to money-laundering risks
theglobeandmail.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:01 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Documents related to Summit coal decision raise more questions about Alberta Energy Regulator’s independence. By
Emma Graney. "The e-mails were uncovered by a freedom of information request by two environmental groups ..."
theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... #cdnfoi #altafoi #altapoli
Documents related to Summit coal decision raise more questions about Alberta Energy Regulator’s independence
Regulator’s CEO sought ‘input’ from Energy Minister’s chief of staff on a motion to cancel hearings about a proposed mine
theglobeandmail.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:49 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Protected state secret: Canada's gift to the King and Queen. Move along, nothing to see here. #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #broken
November 5, 2025 at 5:50 AM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
CFIA monitoring U.S. move away from science-based decision making, internal documents show. "The documents were obtained from Ottawa researcher Ken Rubin, who received them through access to information ..."
theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #cfia
CFIA monitoring U.S. move away from science-based decision making, documents show
The ‘U.S. Risk Task Team’ will keep an eye on the impact of regulatory changes on food imports
theglobeandmail.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
After an FOI request, LCBO refuses to say what U.S. liquor is in its cellar — citing 'cabinet confidence.' CBC is appealing.
By Colin Butler.
cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli
Ontario government says withheld LCBO inventory of U.S. booze is a cabinet secret | CBC News
Documents obtained by CBC News reveal an effort by the Ontario government to hide details about the LCBO's inventory of American alcohol, valued at approximately $79.1 million at cost, pulled from sto...
cbc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 12:22 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
PM Carney was advised to push back on Trump if provoked in April call, says memo obtained under the Access to Information Act. ‪@jimbronskill.bsky.social‬
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/02/p... #nationlnewswatch #cdnfoi #cdnpoli
PM Carney was advised to push back on Trump if provoked in April…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:44 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
'Inherited a mess': CSIS employees applaud director's blunt memo on 'systemic' issues at spy agency. By Christopher Nardi
"National Post obtained a dozen pages of CSIS emails via access to information request."
coldlakesun.com/news/inherit... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #csis
'Inherited a mess': CSIS employees applaud director's blunt memo on 'systemic' issues at spy agency
A stark June memo from the director of Canada’s spy agency highlighting culture and morale issues at the service was applauded by employees.
coldlakesun.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 AM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Terrific digging here by CBC Ottawa's crime reporter Kristy Nease, who fought for parole/probation records under Ont's FOI law. Nease's story reveals a disturbing lack of concern for the women targets of a killer's violence.
cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnfoi #ontfoi #ontpoli
3 women murdered. The score for the killer's probation officer? 'Target met' | CBC News
A rare disclosure of probation records reveals that two days after a repeat domestic violence offender murdered three ex-partners while on probation, his probation officer was given the highest score ...
cbc.ca
October 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Should access-to-information law be changed to lighten the load of an overstressed public service? ottawacitizen.com/public-servi... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli
Should access-to-information law be changed to lighten the load of an overstressed public service?
A former director general explains why there is no 'silver bullet' to reduce the volume of access-to-information requests.
ottawacitizen.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:26 AM
deanbeeby.bsky.social
Yes, Freedom of Information Is Broken. But Don't Blame Workers Like Me. By Robert McLelland. thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025... #cdnfoi #bcfoi #bcpoli
Yes, Freedom of Information Is Broken. But Don’t Blame Workers Like Me | The Tyee
I process FOIs and see the need first-hand. Give us more resources to do our jobs.
thetyee.ca
October 26, 2025 at 7:12 PM