PA-055322 (PCO) et PA-055323 (DOJ) — Privy Council Office (PCO) and Department of Justice (DOJ)

This investigation examined a complaint regarding the alleged leak of personal information about a Supreme Court of Canada candidate. The complainant alleged that documents revealed by an anonymous source demonstrated a disagreement between the Prime Minister’s Office and the former Attorney General concerning the candidate's nomination. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) investigated the Privy Council Office (PCO) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) but found no evidence that these institutions were responsible for the unauthorized disclosure. The OPC's investigation was constrained by jurisdictional limitations, as the Privacy Act does not apply to Ministers' offices or the Prime Minister's Office.

• Whether the PCO or DOJ contravened section 8 of the Privacy Act by improperly disclosing personal information.
• Whether the PCO or DOJ had access to the personal information that was leaked to the media.
• The jurisdictional limitations of the Privacy Act concerning Ministers' offices and the Prime Minister's Office.
• The need for legislative reform to extend the Privacy Act's coverage.