Decisions

The Information Commissioner publishes the final reports on her investigations on this website when she deems them to be of value in providing guidance to both institutions and complainants.

The Office of the Information Commissioner has established the Decisions Database to enable users to search final reports and other decisions, which outline the reasons and principles behind the Commissioner’s decisions and filter them using a number of criteria.

This database is updated regularly and continues to grow as more final reports, decisions and orders are added. The dates indicated refer to the date on which the decision was rendered.

Institutions are legally obliged to abide by an order from the Commissioner unless they apply to the Federal Court for a review of the matter that is the subject of the order. The Access to Information Act does not provide any other alternative to complying with the order. 

To learn more about the Information Commissioner’s orders, please visit our Frequently asked questions.

Other Corporate publications are available on the website.

Filters
Decision Type

699 decisions found

Jun 17
2024

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5821-07023

Institution
Public Services and Procurement Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2021-00401
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th day following receipt of the final report.
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Jun 17
2024

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5823-02812

Institution
Public Services and Procurement Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2023-00177
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than October 31, 2024.
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Jun 13
2024

National Defence (Re), 2024 OIC 32

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
10(3)
Decision Type
Recommendation
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that National Defence did not respond to an access request within the 30‑day period set out in section 7 of the Access to Information Act. The request was for all documents relating to the course of action of Operation Safe Haven. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The Information Commissioner concluded that National Defence did not meet its obligation to respond within the 30-day period and that it is deemed to have refused access to the requested records pursuant to subsection 10(3). The Information Commissioner found that the delay taken by the Office of Primary Interest, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, to retrieve all relevant records was unacceptable.

The Information Commissioner ordered the Minister of National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 60th business day following the date of the final report.

The Information Commissioner recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop proper processes and procedures to ensure that National Defence’s Offices of Primary Interest will abide to their responsibilities to provide responsive records in a timely fashion to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner also recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop performance indicators to hold its senior officials accountable for delays in providing responsive records to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner was notified that National Defence would be implementing the order, further stating that National Defence has already undertaken work to implement the Information Commissioner’s recommendations. Specifically, National Defence has introduced a multidisciplinary team to address concerns with access to information. This working group is meant to engage various stakeholders to identify challenges and implement options for improvement, including changes to processes and procedures, creation and implementation of tools and adoption of technology.

The complaint is well founded.

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Jun 13
2024

Global Affairs Canada, 5823-00644

Institution
Global Affairs Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2022-03912
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request by the 36th business day following the date of this final report.
Read more
Jun 12
2024

Employment and Social Development Canada, 5823-03053

Institution
Employment and Social Development Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2023-02115
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day following the date of this report.
Read more
Jun 12
2024

Privy Council Office, 5822-05405

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2021-00208
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request on or before July 31, 2024.
Read more
Jun 12
2024

Privy Council Office, 5822-05406

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2021-00209
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request on or before August 30, 2024.
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Jun 11
2024

Great Lakes Pilotage Authority Canada, 5823-04227

Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
2023-1
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day following receipt of the final report.
Read more
Jun 11
2024

Health Canada, 5822-03712

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2022-000406
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than December 31, 2027.
Read more
Jun 11
2024

National Defence (Re), 2024 OIC 31

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
10(3)
Decision Type
Recommendation
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that National Defence did not respond to an access request within the 30‑day period set out in section 7 of the Access to Information Act. The request was for all documents relating to the course of action of Operation Aegis. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The Information Commissioner concluded that National Defence did not meet its obligation to respond within the 30-day period and that it is deemed to have refused access to the requested records pursuant to subsection 10(3). The Information Commissioner found that the delay taken by the Office of Primary Interest, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, to retrieve all relevant records was unacceptable.

The Information Commissioner ordered the Minister of National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 60th business day following the date of the final report.

The Information Commissioner recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop proper processes and procedures to ensure that National Defence’s Offices of Primary Interest will abide to their responsibilities to provide responsive records in a timely fashion to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner also recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop performance indicators to hold its senior officials accountable for delays in providing responsive records to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner was notified that National Defence would not be providing a response by the date set out in the order, further stating that National Defence would be initiating judicial proceedings once the final report was issued.

The complaint it well founded.

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