Press Release Department: Federal - Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

The Information Commissioner of Canada, Caroline Maynard, has tabled her ninth Annual Report to Parliament, which includes a special report on her investigation into matters related to requesting and obtaining access to records regarding the ArriveCAN application at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The Commissioner’s systemic investigation found no evidence of an offence under subsection 67.1(1) of the Access to … Read more

Canada’s Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Information Commissioners and Ombuds (FPT Information Regulators) are urging governments and public institutions to modernize access to information laws, proactively disclose records, and ensure the integrity of public information. The FPT Information Regulators responsible for overseeing access to information adopted a joint resolution at their annual meeting in Banff, Alta, earlier this … Read more

Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard tabled her eighth Annual Report to Parliament, highlighting her ongoing efforts to uphold Canadians’ right to access government records while emphasizing the need for a legislative reform. “As I begin my second mandate, I remain deeply committed to safeguarding Canadians’ right of access to information. Building on the progress achieved since 2018, my renewed … Read more

In a joint resolution, Canada’s Information Commissioners and Ombuds from federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdictions are pressing their respective governments to prioritize transparency in the design and implementation of new systems, administrative processes, procedures, and governance models. “Transparency is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. By embedding transparency into the very fabric of our public institutions, … Read more

Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard tabled her 2023-2024 Annual Report in Parliament. The report details the activities of the Office of the Information Commissioner over the past year, offering updates on complaints, the operations of the registry, investigations and the increasing volume of litigation brought about by the Commissioner’s use of her order-making power. The full release is available online. Contact communications@oic-ci.gc.ca.

The Information Commissioner of Canada tabled a special report to Parliament entitled Access at Issue: The Unsustainable Status Quo, marking the second systemic investigation into ongoing challenges concerning access to immigration-related information. ”The Access to Information Act was never meant as a substitute for providing individuals with timely access to information through modern digital service delivery methods” said Information … Read more

Based on allegations related to the destruction of records that were the subject of access to information requests, the Information Commissioner of Canada has initiated an investigation into matters related to requesting and obtaining access to records regarding ArriveCAN between March 2020 and Feb. 23, 2024. While Commissioner Caroline Maynard is aware of other ongoing investigations … Read more

Federal, provincial and territorial Information Commissioners and Ombudspersons signed a joint resolution aimed at reinforcing the public’s right to access government-held information. Recognizing the urgent need for change, the regulators are again calling upon their respective governments to modernize legislation, policies and information management practices to advance transparency and ensure the preservation and dissemination of Canada’s … Read more

Following the tabling of the report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) on the Access to Information system in Parliament on June 20, Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard issued a statement: “This July will mark 40 years since the Access to Information Act came into force. As this law enters its fifth decade, it … Read more

Information Commissioner of Canada Caroline Maynard has submitted the annual report on the activities of the Office of the Information Commissioner for the year 2022-2023 to Parliament for tabling on June 13. The report is available online. Contact communications@oic-ci.gc.ca.