The complainant alleged that Library and Archives Canada (LAC) improperly withheld information under subsection 15(1) (national security, defence) of the Access to Information Act in response to an access request for historical documents regarding the defence of the Arctic region.

The complaint falls within paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act. LAC could not show that it met all of the requirements of this exemption—in particular, how the release of the subject information would harm national security and/or the defence of Canada.

The Information Commissioner recommended that LAC disclose the records in their entirety. LAC gave notice to the Information Commissioner that it would be implementing the recommendation.

The complaint is well founded.