
5821-03817 — Privy Council Office and Global Affairs Canada and Department of National Defence
The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) failed to conduct a reasonable search for records related to minutes of the Joint Intelligence Committee from November 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. The Information Commissioner found that PCO did not initially conduct a reasonable search. During the investigation, PCO agreed to conduct a new search, which resulted in the retrieval of additional responsive records. PCO also indicated that it was consulting with Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence regarding the processing of these records. The Commissioner ordered PCO to complete the retrieval and processing of all responsive records, provide access to them, and issue a supplementary response. PCO notified the Commissioner that it would implement the order and subsequently issued a supplementary response. The complaint was found to be well founded.
- 1Whether the Privy Council Office conducted a reasonable search for records under paragraph 30(1)(a) of the Access to Information Act
- Adequacy of search: Initial search unreasonable
- Further search: New search conducted, additional records found
- Processing of records: PCO ordered to complete retrieval and processing
- Disclosure of records: PCO ordered to provide access
- Supplementary response: PCO ordered to issue supplementary response
- Complaint outcome: Complaint well founded
Complaint well founded — disclosure ordered
The Privy Council Office did not initially conduct a reasonable search for records. A new search conducted during the investigation located additional responsive records, indicating the initial search was insufficient.
The Information Commissioner ordered the Privy Council Office to complete the retrieval of all responsive records, process all additional records located, provide access to them, and issue a supplementary response to the access request by November 22, 2024.
- s.30(1)(a) ATIA
This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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