Canadian privacy & access decisions

A former military member complained that the Department of National Defence (DND) wrongfully compelled him to publicly disclose medical information during an open military summary trial. The complainant argued this disclosure, made as part of his defense against an absence-without-leave charge, violated the Privacy Act. DND contended that summary trials are subject to the "open courts" principle, and since the complainant did not request confidentiality, the disclosure was permissible. The OPC found that the Privacy Act applies to summary trials conducted by the Canadian Forces. However, it concluded that the disclosure was consistent with sections 8(2)(a) and 8(2)(b) of the Privacy Act, which allow disclosure for the purpose for which information was obtained or compiled, or in accordance with an Act of Parliament. The OPC also noted that once information is disclosed in an open court proceeding, it becomes publicly available under section 69(2) of the Act. Therefore, the complaint was found to be not well-founded.

• Whether the Privacy Act applies to military summary trial proceedings conducted by the Canadian Forces
• Whether the disclosure of the complainant's medical information during the summary trial was made in accordance with section 8 of the Privacy Act
• Whether the information became publicly available under section 69(2) of the Privacy Act once disclosed in an open court proceeding

The complainant alleged that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) failed to respond to an access to information request within the statutory time limits. The request, submitted on July 3, 2018, had a due date of August 2, 2018. The RCMP was deemed to have refused access under subsection 10(3) of the Act as it did not respond or take an extension. Despite multiple requests from the OIC for information regarding the delay and a proposed disclosure date, the RCMP provided no rationale for the delay, only citing high volume and resource pressures. The OIC found that the responsive records were not voluminous or complex and had been in the RCMP's possession since July 2018. An initial report with an intended order was sent to the Minister, but before the order could be issued, the RCMP released the records. Consequently, the complaint was found to be well-founded, but no order was issued as the records were released.

• Whether the institution responded to the access request within the statutory time limits
• Whether the institution was deemed to have refused access under subsection 10(3) of the Act
• Whether the institution provided adequate rationale for the delay in responding
• Whether the institution provided a reasonable disclosure date