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

1189 decisions found

Nov 6
2025

Canada Revenue Agency, 5824-04847

Institution
Canada Revenue Agency
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-190422
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than February 27, 2026.
Read more
Nov 5
2025

Health Canada (Re), 2025 OIC 53

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
20
30(1)(a)
Decision Type
Recommendation
Order
Summary

The complainant alleged that Health Canada had improperly withheld information under paragraph 20(1)(b) (confidential third-party financial, commercial, scientific or technical information) of the Access to Information Act in response to an access request. The request was for documents related to a series of consultations that Health Canada organized with stakeholders, between November 30 and December 21, 2020. These consultations pertained to the Regulation Amending the Food and Drug Regulations, in particular to the Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sale and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19: SOR/2021-45. This allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The complainant also alleged that Health Canada had not conducted a reasonable search for records in response to the same access request. This allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

Neither Health Canada nor any of the third parties established that the requirements of paragraph 20(1)(b) were met. Health Canada also failed to establish that it had carried out a reasonable search when it responded to the request.

The Information Commissioner ordered that Health Canada disclose the names of the third parties in full and carry out a new search for records. Health Canada gave notice to the Commissioner that it would comply with the order. The complaint is well founded.

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Nov 4
2025

Health Canada, 5825-00979

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-000036
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 19, 2026.
Read more
Nov 1
2025

Decision pursuant to 6.1, 2025 OIC 63

Institution
-
Section of the Act
6.1
Decision Type
Declining to act on a request
Summary

An institution submitted an application seeking the Information Commissioner’s approval to decline to act on an access request under subsection 6.1(1) of the Access to Information Act. In the institution’s opinion, the access request is vexatious and an abuse of the right of access.

The Commissioner finds that the institution established that the access request at issue is an abuse of the right of access. Moreover, the circumstances warrant that she provides her approval to the institution to decline to act on this access request.

The application is granted.

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Oct 29
2025

National Defence, 5825-01116

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-00338
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
Oct 29
2025

Health Canada, 5825-01080

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-001640
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 after the date of the final report.
Read more
Oct 29
2025

National Defence, 5825-01006

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-00096
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
Oct 29
2025

National Defence, 5825-00854

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-00085
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
Oct 29
2025

National Defence, 5825-00821

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-00018
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 the date of the final report.
Read more
Oct 29
2025

Transport Canada, 5825-00582

Institution
Transport Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-00008
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, 2026.
Read more
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