The complainant alleged that Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) did not conduct a reasonable search in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act for copies of all of Canada's School Narratives, including supporting documents and document lists, as disclosed as part of the Independent Assessment Process. The allegation falls within paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The investigation determined that CIRNAC access officials identified that records existed but refused to process them, stating that the records are confidential and that processing them would require a minimum of 12 months to complete, given existing priorities.

The Information Commissioner ordered that CIRNAC complete the retrieval of all records responsive to the request, and provide a new response to the access request no later than the 60th business day following the date of the final report.

CIRNAC gave notice to the Commissioner that it would be implementing the order.

The complaint is well founded.