CFLA Releases Federal Election 2021 Information Package

September 16, 2021

The Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA), in partnership with their government relations firm (Impact Public Affairs), has released several elections-related documents:

Platform Overviews

• Bloc Québécois (en français)
• Conservative Party of Canada
• Liberal Party of Canada
• New Democratic Party

Leaders Debate Recap and Analysis

• French-Language Debate (September 8)
• English-Laguage Debate (September 9)

CFLA has also prepared a one-pager outlining its recommendations to candidates on topics of interest to the library community:

Access to Content
CFLA-FCAB recommends that the Government of Canada introduce legislation to ensure that Canada’s libraries and users have access on reasonable terms to e-content from multinational publishers.

Restoring an Equitable Reading Landscape For People With Print Disabilities
CFLA-FCAB recommends that the Government of Canada restore ongoing sustained funding in Budget 2022 for the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) to support an equitable reading landscape in Canada for people with print disabilities and to ensure that inclusive reading options exist across Canada.

Implementing Green Infrastructure in Community Hubs
CFLA-FCAB recommends that the government commit to $200 million over the next four years to help implement efficient and cost-effective green infrastructure in vital community hubs from coast to coast to coast. Investment in a targeted library upgrade investment fund supports the circular economy and Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategies.

Supporting Timely Responses to Access to Information Requests
CFLA-FCAB recommends that the Government of Canada increase the budget allotted to Library and Archives Canada in order to support an appropriate level of response to Access to Information requests. Library and Archives Canada is responsible for all ATI requests to the Government of Canada.