About Us

The Office of the Information Commissioner was established in 1983 under the Access to Information Act to support the work of the Information Commissioner.

The Act gives the Commissioner, operating independently of government, the authority to carry out investigations into complaints about federal institutions’ handling of access requests. Investigators conduct these enquiries in private, giving complainants and institutions the opportunity to present their positions.

We strive to maximize institutions’ compliance with the Act, using the full range of tools, activities and powers at the Commissioner’s disposal. These include negotiating with complainants and institutions, carrying out formal investigations, making recommendations to institutions to resolve matters and bringing cases to the Federal Court to ensure the Act is properly applied and interpreted.

We support the Commissioner, who is an agent of Parliament, in her advisory role to the House of Commons and Senate on all matters pertaining to access to information. We also actively support freedom of information in Canada through targeted initiatives such as Right to Know Week, and ongoing dialogue with Canadians, Parliament and federal institutions.

Three deputy commissioners and a staff of approximately 95 employees help the Commissioner deliver her mandate.