The complainant alleged that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) improperly withheld information under subsections 13(1) (confidential information from government bodies), 19(1) (personal information) and section 23 (solicitor-client privilege) of the Access to Information Act. This was in response to an access request for information related to the complainant on or around late 2000. The allegation falls within paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The investigation confirmed that the information withheld under subsection 19(1), section 23, and portions of information withheld under subsection 13(1) met the requirements for exemption. However, the Information Commissioner concluded that some of the withheld information did not meet the requirements of subsection 13(1). She also concluded that the RCMP had not taken reasonable steps to seek the consent of the government bodies from whom the information was obtained to disclose the information that qualified for exemption under subsection 13(1), as is required by subsection 13(2). 

The Commissioner ordered the RCMP to disclose the information that does not meet the requirements of subsection 13(1). The Commissioner also ordered the RCMP to seek consent of the government bodies pursuant to subsection 13(2) and, if given, reasonably exercise discretion to decide whether to release the information.

The RCMP gave notice to the Commissioner that it would implement the order.

The complaint is well founded.