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 9
2025

Canada Revenue Agency (Re), 2025 OIC 39

Institution
Canada Revenue Agency
Section of the Act
30(1)(a)
Decision Type
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that Canada Revenue Agency had not conducted a reasonable search for records in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act. The request was for a 13-point list of specific categories of records held by a named subject matter expert. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

As a result of the investigation, Canada Revenue Agency conducted additional searches and confirmed that further responsive records exist.

The Commissioner ordered that the Minister of National Revenue process the additional records and provide a new response within 60 business days.

The Minister of National Revenue gave notice to the Commissioner that it would be implementing the order.

The complaint is well founded.

Read more
Jul 9
2025

Canada Revenue Agency (Re), 2025 OIC 38

Institution
Canada Revenue Agency
Section of the Act
30(1)(a)
Decision Type
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that Canada Revenue Agency had not conducted a reasonable search for records in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act. The request was for all correspondence between a named subject matter expert and specific parties related to a 10-point list of topics. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

As a result of the investigation, Canada Revenue Agency conducted additional searches and confirmed that further responsive records exist.

The Commissioner ordered that the Minister of National Revenue process the additional records and provide a new response within 60 business days.

The Minister of National Revenue gave notice to the Commissioner that it would be implementing the order.

The complaint is well founded.

Read more
Jul 8
2025

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 5824-04738

Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
CIRNAC-A-2024-00191
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 8
2025

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 5824-04722

Institution
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01233
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide regular interim responses, and a final response forthwith.
Read more
Jul 8
2025

National Defence, 5824-04559

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01902
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
Jul 8
2025

Library and Archives Canada, 5824-04440

Institution
Library and Archives Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-02683
Summary
Order: provide a final response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.
Read more
Jul 8
2025

Library and Archives Canada, 5824-04336

Institution
Library and Archives Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-08005
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 8
2025

National Defence, 5824-02743

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00869
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 7
2025

National Defence, 5824-04537

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-02023
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
Jul 7
2025

National Defence, 5824-04529

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-01993
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days after the date of the final report.
Read more
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