Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Re), 2022 OIC 55

The complainant alleged that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) did not conduct a reasonable search for records detailing annual amounts paid due to sexual harassment or assault from 2009 to 2020. The RCMP explained that its general ledger does not record the nature of settlement claims, and they do not maintain a separate list of such payments. Therefore, the RCMP could only identify and disclose information related to publicly known class action settlements. The Information Commissioner was satisfied that the RCMP conducted a reasonable search given these limitations.

• Whether the RCMP conducted a reasonable search for records.
• The ability of the RCMP to search its general ledger for specific types of claims.
• The existence of alternative methods for the RCMP to identify and locate responsive records.