Decisions

The Information Commissioner publishes* the final reports on her investigations on this website when she deems them to be of value in providing guidance to both institutions and complainants.

The Office of the Information Commissioner has established the Decisions Database to enable users to search final reports and other decisions, which outline the reasons and principles behind the Commissioner’s decisions and filter them using a number of criteria.

This database is updated regularly and continues to grow as more final reports, decisions and orders are added. The dates indicated refer to the date on which the decision was rendered.

Institutions are legally obliged to abide by an order from the Commissioner unless they apply to the Federal Court for a review of the matter that is the subject of the order. The Access to Information Act does not provide any other alternative to complying with the order. 

To learn more about the Information Commissioner’s orders and her decisions on applications for permission to decline to act on an access request, please visit Frequently asked questions.

Other Corporate publications are available on the website.

* Note

Please note that under subsection 37(3.2) of the Act, final reports cannot be published prior to the expiration of the timelines for applications for judicial review before the Federal Court.

Final reports may only be published a minimum of 36 business days after the date of the final report. When third parties and/or the Privacy Commissioner receive a copy of a final report, the report may only be published 46 business days after the date of the final report.

Filters
Decision Type

1137 decisions found

Sep 5
2025

National Defence, 5824-04989

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-02384
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days after the date of the final report.
Read more
Sep 3
2025

National Defence (Re), 2025 OIC 46

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
30(1)(a)
Decision Type
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that National Defence (DND) did not respond to an access request within the 30-day period set out in section 7 of the Access to Information Act. The request was for a Canadian Forces National Counter-Intelligence Unit (CFNCIU) document titled "Defining IMVE", dated November 8, 2018.

The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The investigation determined that DND 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 the failure of the Office of Primary Interest (OPI) to respond when tasked with retrieving relevant records.

The Information Commissioner determined that the delay in the retrieval of records by the OPI is completely unacceptable given its initial estimation that the document requested is only 6 pages long.

The Information Commissioner ordered that DND provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days after the date of the final report.

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

The complaint is well founded.

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Sep 3
2025

National Defence (Re), 2025 OIC 45

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
30(1)(a)
Decision Type
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that National Defence (DND) did not respond to an access request within the 30-day period set out in section 7 of the Access to Information Act. The request was for “Report 002-18: The militia movement, the III%, and the threat to DND/CAF” and any associated documents.

The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The investigation determined that DND 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 the failure of the Office of Primary Interest (OPI) to respond when tasked with retrieving relevant records.

The Information Commissioner determined that the delay in the retrieval of records by the OPI is completely unacceptable given its initial estimation that the document requested is only 13 pages long.

The Information Commissioner ordered that DND provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days after the date of the final report.

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

The complaint is well founded.

Read more
Aug 29
2025

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5825-00277

Institution
Public Services and Procurement Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00273
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day following receipt of the final report.
Read more
Aug 27
2025

Transport Canada, 5824-02789

Institution
Transport Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00511
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
Aug 26
2025

National Defence, 5825-00291

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-02356
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
Aug 26
2025

National Defence, 5825-00290

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-02355
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
Aug 26
2025

National Defence, 5825-00288

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-02357
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
Aug 26
2025

Privy Council Office, 5824-04456

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00327
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 72 business days after the date of the final report.
Read more
Aug 25
2025

Health Canada, 5825-00247

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-001177
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
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