The complainant alleged that Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation (Ingenium) improperly withheld information under section 14 (federal-provincial affairs), paragraphs 16(1)(c) (conduct of investigations), 18(b) (competitive position of government institutions or negotiations by government institutions), 18(d) (government financial interests) and subsection 19(1) (personal information) of the Access to Information Act. This was in response to an access request for records related to the loan of objects for the exhibit "Autopsy of a Murder." The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The application of subsection 19(1) to withhold signatures was removed from the scope of the complaint.

During the investigation, Ingenium decided to no longer rely on paragraph 16(1)(c) to withhold information. Ingenium also decided to disclose information that it had withheld under paragraphs 18(b) and 18(d), and provided additional information to assist the complainant in interpreting the records received. Given these efforts, paragraphs 18(b) and 18(d) and subsection 19(1) were no longer at issue.

During the investigation, Ingenium invoked paragraph 68(c) (material placed by others in certain institutions). This exclusion was applied concurrently with section 14 to withhold photographs.

Ingenium did not show that the information met the requirements of paragraph 68(c). In addition, Ingenium did not show that the information met all the requirements of section 14, in particular Ingenium did not show that, if disclosed, the information could reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of federal-provincial affairs.

The Information Commissioner ordered that Ingenium disclose the records. Ingenium gave notice that it would implement the order.

The complaint is well founded.