Behind closed doors : the law and politics of cabinet secrecy / Yan Campagnolo.

Vancouver, BC : UBC Press, [2021]

xii, 337 pages ; 24 cm.

"In an era where government transparency and accountability are considered fundamental values, does Cabinet secrecy still have a place? The legal and political rules that protect the confidentiality of collective decision making at the highest level of the state executive have come under increasing scrutiny in Canada. Behind Closed Doors: The Law and Politics of Cabinet Secrecy is the first comprehensive work on this controversial doctrine. Yan Campagnolo defends the practice of Cabinet secrecy by demonstrating that it is essential to the proper functioning of responsible government while finding that the secrecy regime at the federal level in Canada is excessively broad and possibly unconstitutional. This regime deprives the courts of the authority to meaningfully review the legality of executive action. Based on a comparative analysis of the rules that apply at the provincial level in Canada and in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand--and an assessment of the latest developments in constitutional and administrative law--this meticulous work develops a feasible solution. Behind Closed Doors proposes innovative reforms that would achieve a better balance between government transparency and confidentiality. Those who operate the levers of power would do well to heed Campagnolo's practical advice."-- Provided by publisher.

English

February 24, 2022

Includes bibliographical references (pages 315-321) and index.