Complaint: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) withheld under subsection 15(1) one paragraph containing Canadian officials’ assessment of the operations of a Honduran partner in records about the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives in Honduras.

Investigation: The OIC asked the institution to revisit its use of the exemption, which it had originally claimed on the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Outcome: CIDA agreed that, with the passage of time, disclosing the information would no longer harm the conduct of international affairs.

Information Commissioner’s position:

• Institutions must not rely solely on the views of consulted institutions but, rather, must decide on disclosure based on their own assessment of the records and the proper exercise of discretion.