Canadian privacy & access decisions

The complainant alleged that Parks Canada improperly withheld portions of a draft feasibility study under subsections 19(1), 20(1)(c), and 20(1)(d) of the Access to Information Act. During the investigation, the complainant narrowed the scope, and Parks Canada changed its reliance to subsection 20(1)(b). The Commissioner found that Parks Canada and the third party did not demonstrate that all the withheld information met the requirements of subsection 20(1)(b), particularly where some information was publicly available or where they no longer opposed disclosure. While some information was found to be legitimately confidential financial/commercial data, other parts were not. Consequently, the Commissioner ordered Parks Canada to disclose specific information that did not meet the exemption criteria. Parks Canada agreed to implement the order, leading to a well-founded complaint.

• Whether s.19(1) personal information was properly withheld
• Whether s.20(1)(c) financial impact on third party was properly withheld
• Whether s.20(1)(d) negotiations by a third party was properly withheld
• Whether s.20(1)(b) confidential third-party financial, commercial, scientific or technical information applied
• Whether the information was financial, commercial, scientific or technical
• Whether the information was confidential (not publicly available, expectation of confidence, fostering relationship)
• Whether the information was supplied by a third party to a government institution
• Whether the third party consistently treated the information as confidential