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By Jim Bronskill

OTTAWA — The federal information watchdog would have the power to order release of government records under newly tabled legislation.

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But the Liberal bill unveiled Monday doesn’t close loopholes that often keep files locked away and it backpedals on a campaign promise to fully apply the Access to Information Act to ministerial offices.

The legislation would place the burden of showing why a record must remain secret on the shoulders of the government or others who object, giving the information commissioner a stronger hand.

Currently the commissioner, an ombudsman for users of the access law, has to argue the case for release of government files.

The legislation also proposes extending the law — though only in a limited way — to the offices of the prime minister, cabinet members, senators, MPs and administrative institutions that support Parliament and the courts.