The complainant alleged that Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE) did not respond to an access request submitted under the Access to Information Act within the 30-day period, as required by section 7. The request was for records related to a previous access request to CSE (A-2021-000036) expanding the time of search to the date the request was received. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The investigation determined CSE did not respond by the required date and is deemed to have refused access to the requested records under subsection 10(3). The delay was caused by a lack of responsiveness from two offices of primary interest.

The Information Commissioner ordered that CSE provide a response to the access request no later than the 36th business day following the date of the final report.

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

The complaint is well founded.