Federal (Canada) Privacy Decisions

The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) failed to respond to an access request within the extended deadline. The request was for records related to "ICSI Meetings 2001". The investigation found that PCO did not respond by the required date, and was therefore deemed to have refused access under subsection 10(3) of the Access to Information Act. The delay was attributed to the ATIP office's failure to initiate consultations and process the request promptly. The Information Commissioner ordered PCO to provide a complete response within 36 business days, and PCO has confirmed it will comply.

• Timeliness of response to an access request
• Definition of a response under the Act
• Institution's responsibility for delays caused by consultations

The complainant alleged that Transport Canada failed to respond to an access request within the 30-day period required by the Access to Information Act. The request concerned records related to aircraft operations and restrictions. The investigation found that the institution took three months to locate potentially responsive records, leading to an unacceptable delay. The Information Commissioner found the complaint well-founded and ordered Transport Canada to provide a complete response within 36 business days.

• Failure to respond to an access request within the legislated time limit.
• Unacceptable delay in locating and processing responsive records.
• Whether the institution met its obligations under section 7 of the Access to Information Act.

The complainant alleged that the Department of Justice Canada (Justice) failed to respond to an access request within the statutory time limit. The complainant also alleged that Justice improperly placed the request on hold and failed to meet its obligations to assist the requester. The Commissioner found that Justice improperly placed the request on hold and failed to assist the complainant. Justice also failed to respond within the time limit, leading to a deemed refusal. The Commissioner ordered Justice to remove the hold, provide a complete response by May 17, 2029, and provide regular updates and interim releases.

• Failure to respond within the statutory time limit (s. 7 ATIA)
• Improperly placing an access request on hold
• Failure to meet obligations to assist the requester (s. 4(2.1) ATIA)
• Deemed refusal of access (s. 10(3) ATIA)

The complainant alleged that National Defence (DND) failed to respond to an access request within the 30-day period required by the Access to Information Act. The request concerned documentation related to unidentified objects shot down over Yukon and Lake Huron in February 2023. The Information Commissioner found that DND did not meet its response deadline and is deemed to have refused access. An order was issued requiring DND to provide a complete response within 36 business days.

• Failure to respond to an access request within the legislated time limit.
• DND's reliance on internal offices (RCAF and CFINTCOM) for responsive records.
• The interpretation of 'response' under the Access to Information Act.