Decisions

Jurisdiction

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

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActWell-founded

Jul 9, 20255822-01900Indexed Jun 30, 2026

5822-01900 — Canada Revenue Agency

Canada Revenue Agency

The complainant alleged that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) failed to conduct a reasonable search for records in response to an access request for a 13-point list of specific record categories held by a named subject matter expert. The OIC investigation found that CRA's initial search was deficient, as evidence from the complainant indicated the likely existence of additional responsive records. Following the OIC's intervention, CRA conducted additional searches and confirmed that further responsive records existed. The Commissioner concluded that the complaint was well founded because the initial search was unreasonable. The Commissioner ordered CRA to complete the retrieval and processing of all responsive records and provide a supplementary response within 60 business days, granting access unless specific exemptions applied. CRA notified the Commissioner that it would implement the order.

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

Jul 8, 20255824-04738Indexed May 4, 2026

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 5824-04738

The Information Commissioner ordered Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 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)

Jul 8, 20255824-04440Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Library and Archives Canada, 5824-04440

The Information Commissioner ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a final 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)

Jul 8, 20255824-04336Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Library and Archives Canada, 5824-04336

The Information Commissioner ordered Library and Archives Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 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)

Jul 8, 20255824-02743Indexed Apr 21, 2026

National Defence, 5824-02743

The Information Commissioner ordered National Defence 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)

Jul 8, 20255824-04559Indexed Apr 21, 2026

National Defence, 5824-04559

The Information Commissioner ordered National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 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)

Jul 8, 20255824-04722Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 5824-04722

The Information Commissioner ordered Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to provide regular interim responses, and a final response forthwith.

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

Jul 7, 20255824-03298Indexed May 7, 2026

Privy Council Office, 5824-03298

The Information Commissioner ordered Privy Council Office to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 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)

Jul 7, 20255824-01543Indexed May 4, 2026

Women and Gender Equality Canada, 5824-01543

The Information Commissioner ordered Women and Gender Equality Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day following the date of the final report.

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Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActWell-founded

Jul 7, 20255824-03298Indexed Jun 30, 2026

5824-03298 — Privy Council Office

Privy Council Office

The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) failed to respond to an access request within the extended timeframe, constituting a deemed refusal under the Access to Information Act. The request sought all IAC assessments concerning Russia and former Soviet Union countries from 1992. The Information Commissioner found that PCO's delay was unacceptable, noting that it took over a year to initiate consultations with other government departments. Furthermore, the Commissioner deemed PCO's proposed three-month internal consultation period following the receipt of external consultation responses as unjustified and unreasonable. Consequently, the Commissioner ordered PCO to provide a complete response within 60 business days and recommended a review of PCO's internal consultation and approval processes. PCO confirmed it would implement the order.

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

Jul 7, 20255824-01710Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Privy Council Office, 5824-01710

The Information Commissioner ordered Privy Council Office to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 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)

Jul 7, 20255824-03594Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 5824-03594

The Information Commissioner ordered Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 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)

Jul 7, 20255824-04537Indexed Apr 21, 2026

National Defence, 5824-04537

The Information Commissioner ordered National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 36 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)

Jul 7, 20255824-04515Indexed Apr 21, 2026

National Defence, 5824-04515

The Information Commissioner ordered National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request no later than 60 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)

Jul 7, 20255824-04529Indexed Apr 21, 2026

National Defence, 5824-04529

OIC order issued to National Defence.

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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. Includes well-founded, well-founded & resolved, well-founded & conditionally resolved, well-founded & unresolved.

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 is the authoritative record of Canadian privacy & access-to-information decisions from federal, provincial, and territorial commissioners. Each decision includes an AI-generated plain-language summary — always verify against the official source document.

Canadian privacy & access decisions