Federal (Canada) Privacy Decisions

Jurisdiction

Federal (Canada)Ontario British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Quebec Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActNot well-founded

Mar 25, 20245822-05417

5822-05417 — Canada Border Services Agency

Canada Border Services Agency

The complainant alleged that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) did not conduct a reasonable search for records concerning cybersecurity and data breach risks associated with the ArriveCan application. The complainant specifically questioned the absence of information related to certain companies and expenses. The Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) investigated CBSA's search process and concluded that the relevant branch searched appropriate repositories and provided responsive records. Therefore, the OIC found the search to be reasonable and the complaint not well-founded.

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 21, 20245823-00984

Health Canada, 5823-00984

The OIC ordered Health Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day after receipt of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 21, 20245822-04100

Health Canada, 5822-04100

The OIC ordered Health Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 60th business day after receipt of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 20, 20245823-00565

Health Canada, 5823-00565

The OIC ordered Health Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 60th business day following receipt of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 20, 20245822-05404

Privy Council Office, 5822-05404

The OIC ordered Privy Council Office to provide a complete response to the access request by June 11, 2024..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 19, 20245821-06463

Library and Archives Canada, 5821-06463

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 72 business days following the date of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 19, 20245823-02722

Library and Archives Canada, 5823-02722

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a final response to the access request no later than 72 business days after the date of the final report.

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 19, 20245821-06462

Library and Archives Canada, 5821-06462

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 72 business days following the date of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 19, 20245822-06718

Health Canada, 5822-06718

The OIC ordered Health Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day following receipt of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 15, 20245821-04191

Library and Archives Canada, 5821-04191

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 72 business days following the date of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActWell-founded

Mar 15, 20245820-02287

5820-02287 — Public Services and Procurement Canada and House of Commons

Public Services and Procurement Canada

The complainant alleged that Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) improperly withheld records concerning the use of Indigenous languages in the House of Commons proceedings, citing exemptions related to government and third-party negotiations. The Information Commissioner found that PSPC failed to justify withholding information under paragraph 20(1)(d) regarding third-party negotiations. While PSPC could withhold per diem rates under paragraph 18(b) related to government negotiations, it failed to reasonably exercise its discretion in doing so. The Commissioner ordered PSPC to disclose most of the withheld information and reconsider its decision on the per diem rates.

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 15, 20245821-00684

Library and Archives Canada, 5821-00684

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 15, 20245821-01234

Library and Archives Canada, 5821-01234

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report..

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 15, 20245821-04194

Library and Archives Canada, 5821-04194

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 business days following the date of the final report.

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Mar 15, 20245821-04192

Library and Archives Canada, 5821-04192

The OIC ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 72 business days following the date of the final report..

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How outcomes work

Federal rulings come from two regulators with different statutory authority — outcome filters cover both.

OIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding) — Since June 2019 (Bill C-58) the Information Commissioner can issue binding orders requiring disclosure or reconsideration. Enforceable after 31/41 business days unless reviewed by the Federal Court (s.41).

Well-Founded — finding that the complaint is well-founded. For OIC: ATIA s.37(1)(a) finding (may be paired with a s.36.1 order). For OPC: Privacy Act s.35(1) / PIPEDA s.13(1) advisory finding — recommendations only, no binding order-making power.

Not Well-Founded — no contravention found.

s.6.1 Application— the OIC's response to a head's application for authorization to refuse a frivolous, vexatious, or bad-faith access request. Granted = institution may refuse; Denied = institution must respond.

Settled / Resolved / Early-resolved — OPC matter resolved during or before formal findings without a contravention finding.

Declined to investigate / No jurisdiction — Procedural close (Privacy Act s.34, PIPEDA discretion, or scope outside the Acts).

References: ATIA s.36.1 · OPC disposition definitions

About this archive

Condita Research archives Canadian privacy decisions from federal, provincial, and territorial commissioners. Each decision includes an AI-generated plain-language summary. Always verify against the official source document.

Federal (Canada) privacy & access decisions