Canadian privacy & access decisions

The complainant alleged that Transport Canada improperly withheld information related to mediation services provided by the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) under paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Access to Information Act. The Information Commissioner found that while the third party's hourly rate and hours billed were properly withheld, the description of services, dates, subtotals, taxes, total amount, and amount paid were not. The Commissioner ordered Transport Canada to disclose this latter information, and the Minister agreed to implement the order.

• Applicability of paragraph 20(1)(b) to financial and commercial information.
• Confidentiality of information provided by a third party.
• Discretionary application of exemptions by the institution.
• Requirement for information to be supplied by a third party.