Canadian privacy & access decisions

The complainant alleged that Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) failed to respond to an access request within the 30-day time limit. The request concerned specific documents related to past litigation. The investigation found that CIRNAC did not respond by the deadline and was therefore deemed to have refused access. The Commissioner found the delay by the Resolution & Partnerships unit in retrieving records unacceptable and ordered CIRNAC to provide a response to the request within 36 business days.

• Failure to respond within the 30-day time limit
• Delay in retrieving records by an Office of Primary Interest (OPI)
• Definition of a 'response' under the Act

The complainant alleged that Library and Archives Canada (LAC) failed to respond to an access request for specific historical files within the extended time limit. The investigation found that LAC did not respond by the required date, and was therefore deemed to have refused access under subsection 10(3) of the Access to Information Act. The delay was attributed to the ATIP office's failure to process the request in a timely manner. The Commissioner ordered LAC to provide a complete response within 36 business days, but LAC indicated it would not be implementing the order due to existing workload.

• Failure to respond to an access request within the legislated time limits.
• Deemed refusal of access under subsection 10(3) of the Access to Information Act.
• The institution's obligation to respond to an access request even when deemed to have refused.
• The institution's notice of non-implementation of the Commissioner's order.