Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActWell-founded

5820-02866 — Canada Post

Organization: Canada PostComplainant: Anonymous applicant
Plain-language brief

The complainant alleged that Canada Post failed to conduct a reasonable search for records containing their name in response to an access request. The investigation by the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) found that Canada Post had not demonstrated that all relevant Offices of Primary Interest (OPIs) were tasked or that those tasked produced all relevant records. The OIC noted the absence of certain record types, such as personnel files, overtime sheets, and day logs, which the complainant identified as missing or incomplete. Canada Post could not provide sufficient explanation for these omissions, nor for why only one work location was tasked when the complainant worked at several. The Commissioner concluded that Canada Post did not conduct a reasonable search. Consequently, the complaint was found to be well founded, and Canada Post was ordered to conduct a more thorough search and process any newly identified records.

Key issues
  1. 1Whether Canada Post conducted a reasonable search for records
  2. 2Whether all relevant Offices of Primary Interest (OPIs) were tasked
  3. 3Whether all relevant records under the OPIs' control were produced
Outcome breakdownFavours: Applicant / complainant
  • Adequacy of search: Search found unreasonable
  • Complaint outcome: Complaint well founded
  • Remedy: Further search ordered
Outcome

Complaint well founded — disclosure ordered

Reasoning

Canada Post failed to demonstrate that all relevant OPIs were tasked and that those tasked produced all relevant records. The institution could not adequately explain the absence of specific record types identified by the complainant, nor why searches were limited to certain work locations when the complainant worked at multiple.

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Decision notes
Recommended action / remedy

Canada Post was ordered to determine whether additional OPIs should have been tasked, task all relevant OPIs, review and process any newly identified responsive records, and provide a final response to the complainant.

Statutes considered
  • s.30(1)(a) ATIA
  • s.36.1(1) ATIA

This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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