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

1097 decisions found

Jul 15
2025

Transport Canada, 5824-04069

Institution
Transport Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00288
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
I order the Minister of Transport to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day following the date of the final report
Read more
Jul 14
2025

National Defence, 5824-04594

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01998
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
Jul 14
2025

National Defence, 5824-03828

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01345
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
Jul 14
2025

National Defence, 5824-03710

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01416
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
I order the Minister of National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
Jul 14
2025

National Defence, 5824-03359

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01124
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than August 29, 2025.
Read more
Jul 14
2025

National Defence, 5824-03056

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01019
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
Jul 10
2025

Global Affairs Canada, 5824-03064

Institution
Global Affairs Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01618
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a final response no later than 36 business days following the date of this final report.
Read more
Jul 9
2025

National Defence, 5824-02876

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00921
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
Jul 9
2025

Library and Archives Canada, 5822-05376

Institution
Library and Archives Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2021-09150
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request forthwith.
Read more
Jul 9
2025

Canada Post (Re), 2025 OIC 40

Institution
Canada Post
Section of the Act
18
19(1)
21
Decision Type
Recommendation
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that Canada Post improperly withheld information under subsections 19(1) (personal information) and 18.1(1) (trade secrets of Canada Post; confidential financial, commercial, scientific or technical information of Canada Post) and paragraphs 21(1)(a) (advice or recommendations) and 21(1)(b) (accounts of consultations or deliberations) of the Access to Information Act in response to an access request. The complainant also alleged that Canada Post did not search for the records requested and/or that additional records responsive to the request must exist. The request was for records related to the decisions to change Iqaluit’s mailing service from PO Box addressing to civic addressing. Both allegations fall under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

While Canada Post provided some representations, it did not respond to the specific questions asked. It therefore did not provide evidence on key points. Canada Post did not show that certain information met all the requirements of subsection 18.1(1), specifically, that the information was a trade secret or that the information was confidential financial, commercial, scientific or technical information of Canada Post.

Canada Post also did not explain how it had conducted a reasonable search for records.

The Information Commissioner ordered that Canada Post disclose certain information and conduct an additional search.

Canada Post gave notice to the Commissioner that it would implement the order.

The complaint is well founded.

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