The complainant alleged that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) did not respond to the access request within the legislated 30-day period. The request was for information regarding whether ESDC is the holder of the information on the work done since 2014 in the grants and contributions program for workplace opportunities and removing barriers to equity, and the concepts it selected to receive funding. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act. In addition, the complainant alleged that ESDC improperly requested additional clarifications to process the above-noted access request. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(f).

During the investigation, the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) learned that ESDC engaged in communication with the requester on a number of occasions to clarify and/or narrow the scope of the access request. Upon review of the original access request, the OIC determined that sufficient detail had been provided from the outset. The numerous interactions between ESDC and the requester contributed to the delay in providing a full and complete response to the requester within the legislated time limit. As no extension of time had been initiated by ESDC, the deadline for responding to the request was July 3, 2023.

The Information Commissioner ordered that a response be provided to the requester by no later than August 30, 2024.

ESDC gave notice to the Commissioner that it would implement the Order.

The complaint is well founded.