Canadian Heritage (Re), 2026 OIC 44

The complainant alleged that Canadian Heritage failed to conduct a reasonable search for records and improperly withheld personal information under subsection 19(1) of the Access to Information Act. The request sought records related to weightlifting in 2023 and 2024, specifically confirmation letters, athlete rationale forms, and appeals. During the investigation, the complainant withdrew the allegation regarding subsection 19(1). The investigation found that Canadian Heritage's search was too narrow, as it only used one athlete's name despite the request not being limited to a specific individual. While the institution provided explanations for the non-existence of some specific records, the Commissioner concluded that the overall search was not reasonable and additional records might exist. The Information Commissioner ordered Canadian Heritage to conduct a new, broader search and provide a new response to the complainant.