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

1141 decisions found

Nov 20
2023

Global Affairs Canada, 5822-06506

Institution
Global Affairs Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2022-01174
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 36th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
Nov 10
2023

Public Health Agency of Canada, 5822-06790

Institution
Public Health Agency of Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2021-000623
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 36th business day after receipt of the final report.
Read more
Nov 10
2023

National Defence, 5822-07599

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2022-01234
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 36th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
Nov 9
2023

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Re), 2023 OIC 39

Institution
Fisheries and Oceans
Section of the Act
30(1)(a)
Decision Type
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) did not conduct a reasonable search in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act for all records related to the Old Fort Band, Fort Babine Band, and Lake Babine Nation in British Columbia between 1871 and 1960. The complaint falls within paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

During the investigation, the OIC sought information from DFO related to the program areas tasked to search for records and the parameters of the search. In response, DFO conducted a second search and re-tasked the relevant OPIs, including one additional program area that had not been tasked originally. As a result, approximately 7000 additional pages identified to be responsive to the request were retrieved.

The Information Commissioner ordered that DFO complete the retrieval of the records identified by DFO as responsive to the request and provide a new response to the complainant no later than 60 days after the effective date of the order. DFO gave notice that it would implement the order.

The complaint is well founded.

Read more
Nov 8
2023

National Defence, 5822-07802

Institution
National Defence
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2022-00829
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request by January 31, 2024.
Read more
Nov 7
2023

Privy Council Office, 5821-01611

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2020-00456
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
Nov 7
2023

Privy Council Office, 5821-01613

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2020-00384
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
Nov 6
2023

Transport Canada, 5822-04795

Institution
Transport Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2020-00535
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
Nov 3
2023

Canada Post, 5822-07759

Institution
Canada Post
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2022-00103
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 36th business day following receipt of the final report.
Read more
Nov 1
2023

Library and Archives Canada, 5820-01435

Institution
Library and Archives Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2020-03969
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report.
Read more
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