The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office had not conducted a reasonable search for records in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act. The request was for all records produced by and related to Privy Council Office access request A-2012-00683, as well as all records that relate to the commission of and development of a 10-page “Lessons Learned” document commissioned by the Privy Council Office. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.

The onus is on institutions to provide sufficient evidence to show that they conducted a reasonable search for responsive records. The Privy Council Office did not provide sufficient evidence to show that they conducted a reasonable search.

The Information Commissioner ordered the Privy Council Office to conduct a new search for records and to provide a supplementary response to the complainant no later than 36 business days after the final report.

The Privy Council Office did not provide notice advising whether it would or would not comply with the order.

The complaint is well founded.