5824-01345 — Health Canada and Canadian Automobile Association and Canadian Institute of Planners

The complainant alleged that Health Canada improperly withheld information related to campfires and air quality, citing exemptions for personal information and financial impact on third parties. Health Canada initially withheld names and short texts about third parties under the financial impact exemption. However, the third parties did not provide evidence of material financial harm, and one explicitly stated disclosure would not cause harm. The Information Commissioner found the complaint well-founded, ordering Health Canada to disclose the withheld information.

• Whether information withheld under paragraph 20(1)(c) met the requirements of the exemption.
• Whether third parties demonstrated a material financial impact or harm to their competitive position.
• Whether disclosure was in the public interest and outweighed potential harm.