Canadian privacy & access decisions

The complainant alleged that Transport Canada failed to conduct a reasonable search for records in response to an access request concerning communications between Transport Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) related to Class D operation with a single engine helicopter. Initially, Transport Canada located only two pages. During the OIC's investigation, Transport Canada conducted additional searches, identifying approximately 690 more responsive pages. While the institution argued that consultations with the RCMP would take at least six months, the Commissioner found that a reasonable search had ultimately been conducted. However, the Commissioner ordered Transport Canada to process these additional records and provide a new response to the complainant within 60 business days, emphasizing that the institution bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring consultations do not unduly delay access. The complaint was found to be well founded.

• Whether Transport Canada conducted a reasonable search for records
• Whether the consultation process with the RCMP unduly delayed access

The complainant alleged that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) improperly withheld the number of paid subscribers to its Gem streaming service under section 68.1 and paragraph 18(b) of the Access to Information Act. The Commissioner found that while the information related to CBC's programming activities, it also related to its general administration, thereby engaging the exception to the section 68.1 exclusion. Consequently, section 68.1 did not apply. Regarding paragraph 18(b), the Commissioner determined that CBC failed to demonstrate a reasonable expectation of harm to its competitive position or interference with negotiations, beyond a mere possibility. The Commissioner concluded that neither exemption applied and ordered CBC to disclose the information. CBC, however, notified the Commissioner that it would not implement the order, leading to a well-founded complaint.

• Whether the information relates to CBC's journalistic, creative or programming activities under s.68.1 ATIA
• Whether the information relates to CBC's general administration, engaging the exception to s.68.1 ATIA
• Whether s.68.1 ATIA applies when information relates to both programming activities and general administration
• Whether disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm CBC's competitive position under s.18(b) ATIA
• Whether disclosure could reasonably be expected to interfere with CBC's negotiations under s.18(b) ATIA
• Whether the CRTC's non-publication of subscriber figures supports CBC's claim of harm under s.18(b) ATIA