Complaint: Industry Canada was late in claiming a 150-day time extension to respond to a request for records related to a study on the impact of downloads and file sharing on music purchases.

Investigation: The OIC discovered that Industry Canada access officials had done very little to process the request. For example, they had not, by the time the investigation began, even started the required consultations. With the requester’s permission, the institution had also put the request on hold twice for short periods to accommodate holidays, despite the Act’s not recognizing this as a valid reason to put requests on hold.

Outcome: Industry Canada met the final response deadline the Information Commissioner formally recommended. Information Commissioner’s position: Although the Access to Information Act allows institutions to claim time extensions under specific circumstances, they are of little value when the institution does not do the work required to respond to the request. In addition, extensions must be claimed during the first 30 days after receiving the request.

 Information Commissioner’s position:

•   Although the Access to Information Act allows institutions to claim time extensions under specific circumstances, they are of little value when the institution does not do the work required to respond to the request.
•  In addition, extensions must be claimed during the first 30 days after receiving the request.