The complainant alleged that the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) had improperly withheld information under paragraph 20(1)(b) (confidential third-party financial, commercial, scientific or technical information) of the Access to Information Act. This was in response to an access request for records relating to a virtual town hall meeting involving the SSHRC President and President of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (MUN), as well as other meetings or contacts between SSHRC and MUN officials and representatives from December 11, 2020 to the date of the request. The complaint falls within paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The institution and third party did not demonstrate that all of the requirements of paragraph 20(1)(b) were met.

The Information Commissioner ordered that SSHRC release all of the information withheld under paragraph 20(1)(b).

SSHRC gave notice to the Commissioner that it would implement the order.

The complaint is well founded.