The complainant alleged that Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) did not process their access request in accordance with the Access to Information Act. Specifically, the complainant alleged that PSPC obstructed their right of access under the Act by concealing the requested records. The request focused on a list of contracts awarded in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

This investigation centred on the processing of the request under the Act, since it is not the Office of the Information Commissioner’s role to investigate allegations under section 67.1. Although there were serious failures in the processing of the access request, the Commissioner is not of the opinion that there is any evidence of an offence.

The complaint is well founded.