Decisions

The complainant alleged that National Defence 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 all documents relating to the course of action of Operation Safe Haven. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The Information Commissioner concluded that National Defence did not meet its obligation to respond within the 30-day period and that it is deemed to have refused access to the requested records pursuant to subsection 10(3). The Information Commissioner found that the delay taken by the Office of Primary Interest, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, to retrieve all relevant records was unacceptable.

The Information Commissioner ordered the Minister of National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 60^th business day following the date of the final report.

The Information Commissioner recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop proper processes and procedures to ensure that National Defence’s Offices of Primary Interest will abide to their responsibilities to provide responsive records in a timely fashion to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner also recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop performance indicators to hold its senior officials accountable for delays in providing responsive records to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner was notified that National Defence would be implementing the order, further stating that National Defence has already undertaken work to implement the Information Commissioner’s recommendations. Specifically, National Defence has introduced a multidisciplinary team to address concerns with access to information. This working group is meant to engage various stakeholders to identify challenges and implement options for improvement, including changes to processes and procedures, creation and implementation of tools and adoption of technology.

The complaint is well founded.

The complainant alleged that National Defence 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 all documents relating to the course of action of Operation Aegis. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The Information Commissioner concluded that National Defence did not meet its obligation to respond within the 30-day period and that it is deemed to have refused access to the requested records pursuant to subsection 10(3). The Information Commissioner found that the delay taken by the Office of Primary Interest, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, to retrieve all relevant records was unacceptable.

The Information Commissioner ordered the Minister of National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 60^th business day following the date of the final report.

The Information Commissioner recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop proper processes and procedures to ensure that National Defence’s Offices of Primary Interest will abide to their responsibilities to provide responsive records in a timely fashion to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner also recommended that the Minister of National Defence develop performance indicators to hold its senior officials accountable for delays in providing responsive records to the Directorate Access to Information and Privacy.

The Information Commissioner was notified that National Defence would not be providing a response by the date set out in the order, further stating that National Defence would be initiating judicial proceedings once the final report was issued.

The complaint it well founded.