The complainant alleged that Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) refused to process an access request under the Access to Information Act. The request was for various types of records relating to three companies from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025. The allegation falls under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Act.  

BDC refused to process the request claiming that the requester did not confirm their right of access. The investigation found that the request met the requirements of section 6 of the Act and that the right of access has been met. BDC conceded that the request meets the requirements of section 6. The Information Commissioner ordered BDC to accept the access request and to give the notice required by section 7; if access was to be refused, it must state in the notice the specific provision on which the refusal is based, as required by section 10. BDC gave notice to the Commissioner that it would be implementing the orders. The complaint is well founded.