Strategic Plan 2025–26 to 2027–28
Message from the Commissioner
The Office of the Information Commissioner’s (OIC)2025–26 to 2027–28 strategic plan will guide this organization during a pivotal time for the Access to information system: Shortly after I signalled the start of my second mandate earlier this year with a commitment to pursuing the renewal required to build an access system that best serves Canadians, the review of the Access to Information Act required by law was launched in June of 2025. This review represents an opportunity to effect the substantive changes that are required to bring the federal access regime into the 21st century and position it for the future. It is my hope that the Government will capitalize on it.
While we look forward to the renewal of the Act, my team will continue to focus on carrying out our critical role within the system that supports the Act’s application. Drawing on the experience and results achieved since my first day on the job in 2018, this strategic plan maps out a clear direction for the OIC over the next three years. It outlines strategies to position the OIC as a model of excellence, build on successes, and address current challenges while taking on emerging ones.
With the support of a dedicated and experienced team, I am confident that my office has the capacity required to deliver meaningful results. Guided by the values we have adopted, we are ready and well-positioned to focus our efforts, fulfill our mission, and realize our vision, which is of such critical importance in upholding Canadians’ right to know.
Caroline Maynard
Information Commissioner of Canada
Our vision
“The right of access guaranteed by the Access to Information Act is fully respected.”
Canada’s freedom of information legislation gives Canadians the right to access information about their government—about the activities it undertakes, the decisions it makes and the money it spends. The Supreme Court of Canada has deemed the right of access as “quasi-constitutional.”
The purpose of the Access to Information Act is to “enhance the accountability and transparency of federal institutions in order to promote an open and democratic society and to enable public debate on the conduct of those institutions” (subsection 2(1)).
The Information Commissioner investigates complaints about how federal government institutions apply the Act, so Canadians can receive the information to which they are entitled.
Our mission
“To provide an efficient and fair process to conclude complaints, be open and transparent with all parties, and provide expert advice to Parliament and other stakeholders on access to information.”
The Office of the Information Commissioner’s mission outlines three areas on which to focus our work and make our vision a reality:
Investigations: Access delayed is access denied, so we make every effort to complete our investigations promptly, while respecting the requirements of the Act and the rules of procedural fairness.
Operations: We strive to be a model of openness and transparency in every aspect of our business, to help parties to complaints and the public understand what we do and why.
Expertise: We apply our more than 40 years of experience investigating complaints to the broader questions surrounding access to information, to assist Parliament and other stakeholders.
Our values
The core values of the public service—respect for democracy, respect for people, integrity, stewardship and excellence—guide our work and professional conduct.
The following five values further focus our efforts to provide effective and efficient program and service delivery to complainants, and guide our interactions with institutions, Parliament and all other stakeholders.
| Our values | Description |
|---|---|
| Respect |
|
| Collaboration |
|
| Transparency |
|
| Excellence |
|
| Trustworthiness |
|
Our strategies
We will pursue three strategies to achieve our vision, deliver our mission and live out our values:
- Invest our resources effectively
- Innovate and optimize
- Maintain and enhance credibility
Invest our resources effectively
Why is this important?
Our work is challenging and labour-intensive, and requires dedicated, professional staff to carry it out. Our team of investigators, lawyers, communicators, ATIP specialists, IM/IT, human resources, finance, security and accommodation experts works together to support the Information Commissioner and deliver her mandate under the Access to Information Act.
How will we do it?
- By managing all resources and risks in accordance with our priorities.
- By attracting and retaining a diverse, versatile, innovative, qualified and high-performing workforce.
- By adopting flexible HR approaches to tailor resources to operational needs.
How will we know we have succeeded?
Our human, financial, material, and information resources are optimally utilized, and management decisions are aligned with the organization's priorities.
Effective risk management and accountability mechanisms are in place and applied consistently and continuously.
Our workforce is diverse, highly skilled, engaged, and high performing.
We have the flexibility needed to quickly adapt to evolving operational needs and priorities.
Innovate and optimize
Why is this important?
The adoption of new and rapidly evolving technology, the unrelenting interest of Canadians in holding government to account and the reality of the 24-hour news cycle must inspire us to continuously enhance how we do our work. Being innovative and transforming our operations—through the creative use of technology, smart and efficient processes, and targeted expertise—will position us to be more agile and responsive in the face of challenges, serve Canadians better and help us meet our corporate obligations.
How will we do it?
- By championing excellence and a results-driven approach.
- By working collaboratively.
- By managing change effectively.
- By leveraging expertise and tools.
- By streamlining and automating processes.
How will we know we have succeeded?
Our processes are enhanced through incremental, continuous improvements and streamlined workflows, resulting in increased operational efficiency.
Innovation is an integral part of our work culture, and teams actively propose improvements to tools and business practices.
Staff have the necessary tools, training, and support to adapt to changes, which are implemented in a planned, consultative, and transparent manner.
Maintain and enhance credibility
Why is this important?
Our credibility depends on putting our words into action and being an example for institutions through the timeliness and quality of our work. Stakeholders—ranging from ordinary citizens to access to information specialists to parliamentarians—look to us for well-researched facts and expert advice on access and transparency.
How will we do it?
- By achieving coherent and timely outcomes.
- By maintaining a contemporary inventory.
- By enforcing compliance with the Act through strategic use of systemic investigations and legal action.
- By championing transparency.
How will we know we have succeeded?
We conclude a volume of complaints that reflects our ability to manage our workload effectively and we maintain average investigation times within established targets.
We publish final reports and the orders issued by the Commissioner.
We consistently apply the Act through impartial and thorough investigations.
We contribute to government and parliamentary reviews of the Act and regularly share best practices with institutions and other stakeholders.
We appear before the court on access matters.
An integrated approach to planning
This plan will continue to be an effective tool for planning, priority setting and accountability, and will serve as the foundation for our human resources plan and performance indicators.
An operational plan complements this plan by setting out specific corporate activities under each of the three strategies. In turn, each business unit develops and follows its own detailed operational plan for each fiscal year, and reports progress and results to our senior management team.
As an Agent of Parliament, the Commissioner may be asked to appear before Parliament to explain our work and on our progress against this plan. The Commissioner tables an annual report in Parliament each year in which she reviews our activities for the year through the lens of this plan.
We also report annually to Parliament and Canadians on our plans, priorities and results through our Departmental Plan and Departmental Results Report, including against specific performance indicators.
Together, this suite of documents provides employees and managers with important guidance so they can manage their activities and ensure their work is moving us towards our vision and contributing to the delivery of our mission.
This plan and related reports provide external stakeholders—including complainants, institutions and Parliament—with information and insight into how we approach our work and use our resources.
We will revisit the plan each year and adjust it, if needed, to respond to changing circumstances.
To learn more about the Office of the Information Commissioner
Website: www.oic-ci.gc.ca
Email: general@oic-ci.gc.ca
Tel. (toll free): 1-800-267-0441
Office of the Information Commissioner
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau QC K1A 1H3
Strategic planning
France Labine, Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services, Strategic Planning and Transformation Services
Tel.: 819-994-8181
Email: france.labine@ci-oic.gc.ca
Media enquiries
France Langlois, Manager, Communications and Media Relations
Tel.: 873-353-4113
Email: france.langlois@oic-ci.gc.ca
To submit a complaint under the Access to Information Act
Online: www.oic-ci.gc.ca
Email: greffe-registry@oic-ci.gc.ca
Office of the Information Commissioner
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau QC K1A 1H3