The complainant alleged that Transport Canada had not conducted reasonable searches for records in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act. The request was for records between Transport Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) related to Class D operation with a single engine helicopter between January 1, 2017, and December 8, 2023. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

As a result of the investigation, Transport Canada conducted additional searches and confirmed that approximately 690 additional pages identified to be responsive to the request exist. Transport Canada indicated that it would take at least six months to consult with the RCMP on most of those pages before providing a new response to the request.

The Information Commissioner ordered that Transport Canada process the additional records and provide a new response no later than 60 business days following the date of the final report. Transport Canada gave notice to the Commissioner that it would likely be implementing the order. The complaint is well founded.