3217-00276 — Environment and Climate Change Canada
The complainant alleged that Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) improperly withheld records related to a Request for Proposals (RFP) under various ATIA exemptions. The Information Commissioner found that ECCC failed to properly exercise discretion regarding publicly available personal information and some commercial/financial information. While certain advice, recommendations, and specific third-party commercial/financial information were properly withheld, other portions were not sufficiently justified as confidential or likely to cause harm. ECCC agreed to implement the Commissioner's recommendations.
- Proper exercise of discretion for publicly available personal information (s.19(2) ATIA)
- Justification for withholding commercial/financial information under s.20(1)(b) and s.20(1)(c) ATIA
- Application of advice/recommendations exemption (s.21(1)(a) ATIA)
- Confidentiality of information provided in response to an RFP
Complaint well founded — disclosure ordered
The Commissioner found that ECCC did not reasonably exercise its discretion in withholding some personal information that was publicly available. Additionally, certain financial and commercial information was withheld without sufficient evidence that it met the confidentiality requirements or that disclosure would cause harm. ECCC committed to implementing the Commissioner's recommendations for disclosure.
AI-generated summary for reference only. Always verify against the official decision ↗
ECCC was recommended to disclose certain publicly available personal information, the lowest bid amount and per diem rate, and specific parts of the RFP Response, and to ensure all exemptions were accurate.
- s.19 ATIA
- s.20 ATIA
- s.21 ATIA
This is a summary for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.