The complainant alleged that Canadian Heritage did not conduct a reasonable search for records in response to an access request under the Access to Information Act. The complainant also alleged that Canadian Heritage improperly withheld information under subsection 19(1) (personal information). The access request was for records related to weightlifting in 2023 and 2024, specifically concerning confirmation letters, athlete rationale forms, and appeals.

During the investigation, the complainant decided it was no longer necessary for the Office of the Information Commissioner to investigate information withheld under subsection 19(1).

The investigation revealed that the scope of the search was likely not broad enough to capture all the responsive records, and Canadian Heritage failed to provide sufficient representations to explain why its search was reasonable.

The Information Commissioner ordered the Minister of Canadian Heritage to conduct a new search and provide a new response to the complainant no later than 36 business days after the date of the final report.

Canadian Heritage gave notice to the Commissioner that it would be implementing the order.

The complaint is well founded.