Canadian privacy & access decisions

The complainant alleged that CMHC improperly withheld records regarding mortgage loans insured or sold by Laurentian Bank. CMHC withheld information claiming exemptions related to government financial/commercial information, personal information, and third-party financial/commercial information, and negotiations. The Information Commissioner found that while some information qualified for exemption under subsection 20(1)(b) (third-party information), other withheld information did not meet the exemption's requirements. The Commissioner ordered CMHC to disclose certain information that was not supplied by a third party. CMHC has indicated it will not comply with parts of the order and intends to apply to the Federal Court.

• Whether information withheld by CMHC qualified for exemption under paragraph 20(1)(b) (confidential third-party financial, commercial, scientific or technical information).
• Whether information withheld by CMHC qualified for exemption under paragraph 20(1)(c) (financial impact on a third party).
• Whether information withheld by CMHC qualified for exemption under paragraph 20(1)(d) (negotiations by a third party).
• Whether CMHC's own observations and work product could be withheld as information supplied by a third party.