Canadian privacy & access decisions

The complainant alleged that the Privy Council Office (PCO) failed to respond to an access to information request within the statutory time limits. PCO had claimed an extension and then placed the request on hold for consultations, which it conducted over several years. The Commissioner found the complaint well-founded, as PCO's indefinite hold on the request had no provision in the Act. The Commissioner recommended PCO provide a final response by June 1, 2020, but PCO failed to meet this deadline, citing the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on consultations. As the complaint was filed before recent amendments, the Commissioner's jurisdiction was limited to making recommendations.

• Timeliness of response
• Indefinite hold on request for consultations
• Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on processing
• Commissioner's jurisdiction and remedies