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Guidance

Helpful information on how the Office of the Information Commissioner approaches investigations and interprets the Access to Information Act.

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Submit a complaint

The Access to Information Act gives a right to access information under the control of government institutions. The Act also provides a right to complain to the Information Commissioner about matters related to an access request made under the Act, such as the following:

  • the institution’s response to the request
  • the fact that the institution did not respond to the request
  • how an institution treated the request.

Individuals may also complain about other matters related to requesting and accessing records under Part 1 of the Act, even if they did not make an access request.

In all instances, complainants may authorize someone else to submit a complaint(s) on their behalf.

More information: Types of complaints; How the OIC processes and investigates complaints

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Caroline Maynard

What the OIC does

Complaints

The Access to Information Act gives Canadians the right to request information from federal institutions. If you submitted a request for information to a federal institution under the Act and you are not satisfied with how it was processed, you may file a complaint with the OIC.

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Guidance

Guidance for institutions on how the OIC approaches investigations and on the information Commissioner's interpretation of the Act is available to everyone.

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Parliamentary activities

The Information Commissioner reports directly to Parliament. She appears before parliamentary committees and makes written submissions to them. She also publishes her annual report to Parliament and issues special reports when required. Upon request, the Commissioner provides expert advice to parliamentarians on access to information matters.

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Latest news

2023-2024 Annual Report – Upholding the right of access: a matter of safeguarding the public trust

Release Date

Gatineau, June 18, 2024 – Caroline Maynard, the Information Commissioner of Canada, tabled her 2023-2024 Annual Report in Parliament today.

The report details the activities of the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) over the past year, offering updates on complaints, the operations of the Registry, investigations and the increasing volume of litigation brought about by the Commissioner’s use of her order-making power.

Transparency and digital age: the information commissioner’s role and citizen empowerment

Release Date

Tirana, Albania, June 5, 2024 - We, the Information Commissioners, members of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC), convened on June 5, 2024, in the proceedings of the 15th Edition of our Annual Conference, held in virtual mode and in the capital of Albania, Tirana, issue the following Statement:

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