Canadian Privacy Decisions

The complainant alleged that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) improperly withheld and redacted information from an Issue Detail Report. The complainant also alleged the use of improper 'white' redactions. The Information Commissioner found the complaint well-founded, ordering the CFIA to disclose most of the withheld third-party information, except for supplier names, procedural details, and product weighing processes. The Commissioner also recommended the CFIA stop using white redactions.

• Application of subsection 19(1) (personal information)
• Application of paragraphs 20(1)(b) and 20(1)(c) (confidential third-party information, financial impact)
• Improper use of negative (white) redactions
• CFIA's duty to assist the requester

The complainant alleged that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) failed to conduct a reasonable search for records concerning annual expenses incurred to provide security for internationally protected persons visiting Canada. The RCMP provided a two-page summary instead of retrieving the requested records, arguing that most would be exempt. The Information Commissioner found the search unreasonable, ordering the RCMP to conduct a new search and respond to the request.

• Reasonableness of search
• Failure to retrieve and process records
• Provision of summary in lieu of records