Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (Re), 2022 OIC 12

The complainant alleged that the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), in its role as administrator of the federal access to information system, failed to provide adequate support to government institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This, the complainant argued, impeded the right of access to government information. The investigation found that TBS engaged in reminding institutions of their obligations, clarified responsibilities, and addressed misinterpretations. Given TBS's limited authority over institutions' day-to-day operations, the Commissioner concluded that the support provided was adequate, and the complaint was not well-founded.

• Adequacy of TBS support to government institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Impact of TBS support on the right of access to government information.
• Whether TBS's actions were contrary to the principles of openness and transparency.