5823-02877 — Canada Revenue Agency
The complainant alleged that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) improperly withheld employee time sheets under subsection 19(1) (personal information) of the Access to Information Act. The CRA claimed the information, related to a period of a labour strike, could identify employees who participated in the strike. The Information Commissioner found that while the User ID and PRI would reveal strike participation, the remaining time sheet data (date, attendance type, hours, etc.) did not meet the threshold for identifying individuals, as the CRA's evidence was speculative and the large number of employees made identification unlikely. The Commissioner ordered the CRA to disclose the information that did not meet the requirements of subsection 19(1).
- Whether time sheet information from a period coinciding with a labour strike could identify employees participating in the strike.
- Whether the CRA demonstrated a serious possibility of identification for the remaining time sheet data.
- Application of subsection 19(1) (personal information) of the Access to Information Act.
Complaint well founded — disclosure ordered
The Commissioner found that the CRA failed to demonstrate a serious possibility that disclosing the remaining time sheet information would identify individuals, as the evidence was speculative and the large number of employees involved made precise identification unlikely. However, the Commissioner accepted that disclosing the User ID and PRI would reveal strike participation and thus be personal information.
AI-generated summary for reference only. Always verify against the official decision ↗
The Minister of National Revenue was ordered to disclose all redacted information that does not meet the requirements of subsection 19(1).
- s.19 ATIA
- s.30(1)(a) ATIA
- s.36.2 ATIA
- s.37(2) ATIA
This is an informational summary only and does not constitute legal advice.