The complainant alleged that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) did not conduct a reasonable search in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act for all records related to the Old Fort Band, Fort Babine Band, and Lake Babine Nation in British Columbia between 1871 and 1960. The complaint falls within paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

During the investigation, the OIC sought information from DFO related to the program areas tasked to search for records and the parameters of the search. In response, DFO conducted a second search and re-tasked the relevant OPIs, including one additional program area that had not been tasked originally. As a result, approximately 7000 additional pages identified to be responsive to the request were retrieved.

The Information Commissioner ordered that DFO complete the retrieval of the records identified by DFO as responsive to the request and provide a new response to the complainant no later than 60 days after the effective date of the order. DFO gave notice that it would implement the order.

The complaint is well founded.