The complainant alleged that Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) did not respond within the extended period under subsection 9(1) of the Access to Information Act to an access request. The request was for records concerning parliamentary consideration of electric vehicle battery manufacturing facilities, agreements between manufactures and the Government of Canada to support the establishment of these facilities, and the use of foreign workers in connection with these facilities, during a specific time period. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The investigation determined ISED did not respond by the required date and is deemed to have refused access to the requested records under subsection 10(3). The delay was caused by a lack of responsiveness from one office of primary interest.

The Information Commissioner ordered that ISED provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 business days after the date of the final report.

ISED gave notice to the Commissioner that it has every intention of implementing the order.

The complaint is well founded.i