Submit a complaint

In light of the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, complainants are encouraged to use the Office of the Information Commissioner’s electronic complaint form to submit complaints.

The Access to Information Act gives a right to access information under the control of government institutions. The Act also provides a right to complain to the Information Commissioner about matters related to an access request made under the Act, such as the following:

  • the institution’s response to the request
  • the fact that the institution did not respond to the request
  • how an institution treated the request.

Individuals may also complain about other matters related to requesting and accessing records under Part 1 of the Act, even if they did not make an access request.

In all instances, complainants may authorize someone else to submit a complaint(s) on their behalf.

More information: Types of complaints; How the OIC processes and investigates complaints

Caroline Maynard

What the OIC does

Complaints

The Access to Information Act gives Canadians the right to request information from federal institutions. If you submitted a request for information to a federal institution under the Act and you are not satisfied with how it was processed, you may file a complaint with the OIC.

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Guidance

Guidance for institutions on how the OIC approaches investigations and on the information Commissioner's interpretation of the Act is available to everyone.

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Parliamentary activities

The Information Commissioner reports directly to Parliament. She appears before parliamentary committees and makes written submissions to them. She also publishes her annual report to Parliament and issues special reports when required. Upon request, the Commissioner provides expert advice to parliamentarians on access to information matters.

Read more about the OIC

Bouchard (Phoenix pay system) class action: A settlement has been reached in the Bouchard class action against the Government of Canada. Consult the first notification to class members to learn more about the settlement, who’s included in the class action, how to participate in the hearing to approve the settlement, or how to opt out of the class action.

Latest news

Canada’s Information Commissioners and Ombuds issue joint resolution calling for enhanced transparency in government operations

Release Date

Gatineau, Québec – December 10, 2024 – In a joint resolution, Canada’s Information Commissioners and Ombuds from federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdictions are pressing their respective governments to prioritize transparency in the design and implementation of new systems, administrative processes, procedures, and governance models.