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

1258 decisions found

Feb 23
2026

Decision pursuant to 6.1, 2026 OIC 24

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 an abuse of the right of access.

The Commissioner finds that the institution did not establish that the access request at issue is an abuse of the right of access.

The application is denied.

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Feb 10
2026

Decision pursuant to 6.1, 2026 OIC 18

Institution
-
Section of the Act
30(1)(f)
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 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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Feb 2
2026

Public Services and Procurement Canada (Re), 2026 OIC 12

Institution
Public Services and Procurement Canada
Section of the Act
30
Decision Type
Recommendation
Order
Final report
Summary

The complainant alleged that the extension of time Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) took under subsection 9(1) of the Access to Information Act to respond to an access request was unreasonable. The request was for documents relating to parliamentary consideration of ArriveCAN. The timeframe of the request was March 12 to November 14, 2024. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(c) of the Act.

The complainant also alleged that the extension of time PSPC took to respond to an access request does not meet the requirements of section 9. This allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

PSPC could not show that it met all the requirements of paragraph 9(1)(b) – in particular, the OIC found that relying primarily on service standards did not demonstrate a genuine assessment of the actual time required to process the request. As a result, the OIC determined that the extension was not reasonable.

The Information Commissioner ordered the Minister of Public Works and Government Services to provide a complete response to the access request no later than June 1, 2026. Additionally, it was recommended that the Minister issue interim releases for documents not requiring consultation and for which the review has been completed.

PSPC gave notice to the Commissioner that it would implement the order and recommendation.

The complaint is well founded.

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Jan 30
2026

Library and Archives Canada, 5825-00024

Institution
Library and Archives Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-08769
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.
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Jan 28
2026

Indigenous Services Canada, 5825-02529

Institution
Indigenous Services Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
ISC-A-2025-00004
Did the institution give notice it would implement the order?
Yes
Summary
Order: provide a complete response to the access request no later than June 30, 2026.
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Jan 28
2026

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 5825-02387

Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
CIRNAC-A-2025-00122
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
Jan 28
2026

Privy Council Office, 5825-02123

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-00004
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
Jan 28
2026

Privy Council Office, 5825-02122

Institution
Privy Council Office
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2024-00326
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
Jan 27
2026

Communications Security Establishment Canada, 5825-03050

Institution
Communications Security Establishment Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-00002
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
Jan 27
2026

Health Canada, 5825-02547

Institution
Health Canada
Section of the Act
7
Decision Type
Delay in responding to a request
Order
Institution file #
A-2025-000122
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.
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