Canadian privacy & access decisions

The complainant alleged that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) improperly withheld records related to the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency under various sections of the Access to Information Act. The complainant also alleged the RCMP failed to conduct a reasonable search. While the Commissioner found that some information was properly withheld under sections 21(1)(a) and 21(1)(b), the RCMP did not conduct a reasonable search for records. The Commissioner ordered the RCMP to provide a new response and release any additional records found.

• Improper withholding of information under sections 15(1), 16(2)(c), 17, 19(1), 21(1)(a), and 21(1)(b) of the ATIA.
• Failure to conduct a reasonable search for records.
• Application of sections 21(1)(a) and 21(1)(b) to specific pages.
• Reasonableness of the RCMP's discretion in withholding information.