Canadian Heritage (Re), 2026 OIC 49

The complainant alleged that Canadian Heritage failed to conduct a reasonable search for records in response to an access request for weightlifting-related communication records from two specific Sport Canada employees. Initially, the complaint also included allegations of improper withholding under s.19(1) and s.20(1)(b), but these were later withdrawn by the complainant, narrowing the investigation to the reasonable search aspect. Canadian Heritage released five pages of records but did not provide sufficient representations to the OIC regarding the keywords used, the search for call logs and text messages, or the timing of decisions on appeals. The Commissioner found that the institution's search was likely not broad enough and that it failed to demonstrate the reasonableness of its search efforts. Consequently, the complaint was found to be well founded, and Canadian Heritage was ordered to conduct a new search and provide a new response.