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

Jan 16
2025

Public Health Agency of Canada, 5824-00240

Institution
Public Health Agency of Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2023-000220
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 120th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
Jan 16
2025

Privy Council Office, 5824-01265

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2023-00599
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than January 29, 2025.
Read more
Jan 16
2025

Employment and Social Development Canada, 5824-01387

Institution
Employment and Social Development Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00674/KYS
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
No response
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 90th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
Jan 16
2025

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, 5824-01129

Institution
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00008
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Recommendation: Provide interim response(s) by January 31, 2025. Order: Provide a complete response to the access request by October 15, 2025.
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Jan 16
2025

Transport Canada, 5824-01889

Institution
Transport Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00282
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 60th business day following receipt of the final report.
Read more
Jan 14
2025

Privy Council Office (Re), 2024 OIC 71

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
30(1)(a)
Decision Type
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) did not conduct a reasonable search in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act for records related to the creation of the position of Intelligence Coordinator and/or Security and Intelligence Coordinator in PCO between 1 September 1984 and 28 February 1985, including but not limited to the document 'Memorandum for the Intelligence Coordinator' signed by Cabinet Secretary Osbaldeston and dated 27 November 1984.

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

The investigation determined that the Offices of Primary Interest did not retrieve all relevant records when they were tasked to do so. PCO was unable to show that it conducted a reasonable search for all of the records responsive to the access request. The Office of the Information Commissioner asked PCO to conduct a subsequent search for all relevant records. As a result, 187 additional pages of responsive records were identified.

The Information Commissioner ordered that PCO provide a subsequent response to the access request by December 10, 2024.

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

The complaint is well founded.

Read more
Jan 14
2025

National Defence, 5824-01050

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00214
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 business days after the date of the final report.
Read more
Jan 14
2025

Health Canada, 5824-02011

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2023-001372
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than April 21, 2025.
Read more
Jan 14
2025

Health Canada, 5824-02012

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2023-001373
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than April 21, 2025.
Read more
Jan 13
2025

Global Affairs Canada, 5824-00847

Institution
Global Affairs Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2023-03455
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
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