Privy Council Office (Re), 2021 OIC 10
The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) improperly withheld the names of employees within the Prime Minister's Office. The information was requested in relation to records concerning an announcement about audits of registered charities for political activities. The OIC found that the withheld names constituted personal information and met the requirements for exemption under subsection 19(1) of the Access to Information Act. The OIC was also satisfied that none of the exceptions allowing for disclosure under subsection 19(2) applied. Therefore, the complaint was not well-founded.
- Whether the names of Prime Minister's Office employees constitute personal information under subsection 19(1) of the ATIA.
- Whether the information fell under exceptions to the definition of personal information.
- Whether the institution properly exercised its discretion to disclose the information under subsection 19(2) of the ATIA.
Complaint not well founded
The Office of the Information Commissioner found that the withheld names qualified as personal information under subsection 19(1) of the Access to Information Act. It was also determined that none of the conditions in subsection 19(2) that would mandate or permit disclosure of this personal information were met. Consequently, the institution's decision to withhold the information was upheld.
AI-generated summary for reference only. Always verify against the official decision ↗
- s.19(1) ATIA
- s.19(2) ATIA
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