Clarify CBC access laws, CRTC chairman tells MPs

The federal broadcast regulator says he can understand why the CBC and the information commissioner are fighting in court over access to information — the law is poorly written.

Konrad von Finckenstein is telling a Commons committee that the section of the Access to Information Act which applies to the CBC is confusing and like no other he has seen before.

He suggests that if MPs aren't happy with the battle over interpretation, they should change the law.

The CBC is before the Federal Court of Appeals this week to argue that the information commissioner has no right to review documents the Crown corporation refuses to disclose under the act.

The public broadcaster says information about its journalistic, creative and programming activities should only be seen by a judge in disputes over access.

Tories argue that taxpayers are unhappy with two federal bodies spending money fighting each other in the courts and asked the committee to look at the case.

Liveblog recap

The CBC's Kady O'Malley liveblogged the committee hearing Tuesday. Read a recap below.

Mobile users, follow the live blog here.