5819-00985 — Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

The complainant alleged that the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) improperly withheld records concerning the Canada Research Chairs’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion requirements, citing exemptions related to facilitating offenses, personal information, financial impact, negotiations, and advice/deliberations. While SSHRC successfully justified withholding some personal information under subsection 19(1) and advice/deliberations under paragraphs 21(1)(a) and 21(1)(b), it failed to demonstrate that other information met the criteria for exemptions under paragraphs 20(1)(b), 20(1)(c), and 20(1)(d). The Information Commissioner found the complaint well-founded and ordered SSHRC to disclose the remaining information, which SSHRC agreed to implement.

• Exemption under paragraph 16(2)(c) (facilitating commission of an offence)
• Exemption under subsection 19(1) (personal information)
• Exemption under paragraphs 20(1)(b), (c), (d) (third-party commercial/financial information, negotiations)
• Exemption under paragraphs 21(1)(a), (b) (advice, deliberations)