Annual Report on the Access to Information Act—2021–22

Office of the Auditor General of CanadaAnnual Report on the Access to Information Act—2021–22

ISSN 2561-8555

Introduction

The Access to Information Act gives Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and any person and corporation present in Canada, the right to access information contained in government records, subject to certain specific and limited exceptions.

Section 94(1) of the act requires the head of each government institution to prepare an annual report on the administration of the act within the institution and to submit the report to Parliament. Additionally, section 20 of the Service Fees Act requires institutions to report on any legislative fees processed during the reporting period.

This annual report on the Access to Information Act at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) describes how we administered our responsibilities under the act during the 2021–22 fiscal year.

Who we are

The OAG audits federal government operations and provides Parliament with independent information, advice, and assurance regarding the federal government’s stewardship of public funds.

We are in the business of legislative auditing. We conduct

Since 1995, the OAG has also had a specific environmental and sustainable development mandate, which is carried out by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on behalf of the Auditor General of Canada. The Commissioner has additional responsibilities under the Federal Sustainable Development Act and the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act to review and monitor the Government of Canada’s sustainable development strategies and its implementation of measures aimed at mitigating climate change.

Access to Information and Privacy team

The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator is a member of the Legal Services, ATIP, and Policy team headed by the OAG’s General Counsel. The full-time ATIP Coordinator is supported by a junior analyst, counsel, and administrative staff as required. The main activities of the ATIP Coordinator included

DELEGATION ORDER under the ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT and the PRIVACY ACT

I, Karen Hogan, Auditor General of Canada, pursuant to subsection 95(1) of the Access to Information Act and subsection 73(1) of the Privacy Act, hereby delegate to the persons holding the positions set out below or the persons occupying on an acting basis those positions, to exercise the powers, duties and functions as the head of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, under the provisions of the Act and related regulations set out in the schedule beside each position.  This delegation order replaces all previous delegation orders.

29 November 2021

Schedule
Position Access to Information Act and Regulations Privacy Act and Regulations
General Counsel Full authority Full authority
ATIP Coordinator Full authority Full authority

[Original signed by]

Karen Hogan, Fellow Chartered Professional AccountantFCPA, Fellow Chartered AccountantFCA
Auditor General of Canada
240 Sparks Street
Ottawa Ontario  K1A 0G6

Performance

During the reporting period, from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, the OAG received 17 formal requests, 10 of which were closed during the reporting period and 7 of which were carried over to the next reporting period. No requests were carried over from the previous reporting period.

Extensions and completion time of closed requests

During the reporting period, the OAG invoked extensions in processing 5 requests: 3 extensions of less than 30 days, 1 extension of 31 to 60 days, and 1 extension of 121 to 180 days, which included a mandatory extension to consult with third parties.

Of the requests received during the reporting period,

No formal Access to Information Act requests exceeded their legislative deadlines during the reporting period.

Multi-year trends

The OAG continues to receive a low overall number of Access to Information Act requests:

Most of these requests were complex or voluminous, and the OAG continues to receive multiple requests for personal information using the Access to Information Act. During the current reporting period, multiple requests pertained to the subject of coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) vaccination and vaccines.

Consultations

Consultations received from other government departments are commonly related to ongoing audits, and while the OAG is required to withhold audit information pursuant to sub-paragraph 16.1(1)(a) of the Access to Information Act, consulting departments cannot invoke the same exemption. Therefore, the OAG cannot recommend doing so. If the records refer to an ongoing audit, the OAG typically recommends an exemption pursuant to section 22 of the act if disclosure of the records could prejudice the outcome of the audit. The OAG responded to 17 consultations during the reporting period and recommended exemptions in 2 cases.

Summary of key issues and actions taken on complaints or audits

The OAG received 4 complaints during the reporting period, all of which were carried over to the 2022–23 reporting period:

One additional complaint regarding a request from the 2019–20 reporting period was carried over to the 2022–23 reporting period; however, at the time of tabling this report, the investigation of the complaint has been completed. A summary of this complaint will be included in the next annual report to Parliament.

The OAG did not conduct any internal audits during the reporting period.

Institution-specific policies, guidelines, and procedures

The OAG did not revise policies, guidelines, or procedures related to the Access to Information Act—or implement new ones—during the reporting period.

Monitoring compliance

The OAG uses a case management system that tracks both active and closed requests. The system is designed to track legislative deadlines.

The ATIP team holds biweekly meetings to discuss request-related activities, determine timelines, and help ensure that all team members are informed of the status of files. Regular meetings are also held with the General Counsel as the executive member responsible for ATIP matters.

Senior officials, up to and including the Auditor General, are advised about compliance with legislative, policy, and regulatory obligations, as requested or required.

As reflected in part 11.2 of the Appendix and described in the introduction of this report, the OAG dedicated 0.520 person-years to ATIP-related activities during the reporting period.

Training and awareness

The OAG requires that all employees complete mandatory ATIP training, offered by the Canada School of Public Service as an online, self-paced course.

All new OAG employees are required to complete the training within 3 months of the start date of their employment.

During the reporting period, 150 employees completed this training.

The ATIP Coordinator regularly provides OAG employees with guidance and briefings on the processing of ATIP requests. Furthermore, information and tools to help employees process ATIP requests are available on the OAG’s external and internal websites.

Impact of COVID-19 measures

During the reporting period, the OAG was not affected by measures related to the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Administration of the Access to Information Act

Requests under the Access to Information Act

Received during the reporting period: 17
Outstanding from the previous period: 0
Total: 17

Sources of requests received

During the reporting period, 14 requests were submitted by members of the public, 2 requests were submitted by businesses, and 1 request came from a media source.

Disposition of completed requests

Of the requests completed during the reporting period,

Exemptions invoked

Of the 4 requests in which exemptions were invoked,

Exclusions cited

The OAG did not invoke any exclusions during the reporting period.

Completion time

Of the requests completed during the reporting period,

Extension of time limits

Section 9 of the act provides for the extension of the statutory time limits if consultations are necessary, or if a large number of records have been requested and processing the request within the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with OAG operations. Of the requests completed during the reporting period,

Method of access

Electronic copies of records were provided for all 7 requests resulting in disclosure, in their entirety or in part.

Access to Information Act fees for the purposes of the Service Fees Act

The Service Fees Act requires a responsible authority to report annually to Parliament on the fees collected by the institution.

With respect to fees collected under the Access to Information Act during the reporting period, the information below is reported in accordance with the requirements of section 20 of the Service Fees Act:

Operational costs

The costs directly associated with the administration of the Access to Information Act for the reporting period are estimated to be $192,984 for salaries and $2,182 for goods and services, for a total of $195,166. This salary amount includes time spent by the ATIP Coordinator, part-time members of the ATIP team, and all other OAG employees and contractors on activities related to the act. The OAG is able to estimate salary costs for time spent on all ATIP-related activities because of the OAG’s timekeeping software and practices, which require all employees to charge time spent on ATIP matters.

Appendix—Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act

Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act

Name of institution: Office of the Auditor General of Canada

Reporting period: 2021-04-01 to 2022-03-31

Section 1: Requests Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Number of requests received

Number of requests received
Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 17
Outstanding from previous reporting periods 0
  • Outstanding from previous reporting period: 0
  • Outstanding from more than one reporting period: 0
Total 17
Closed during reporting period 10
Carried over to next reporting period 7
  • Carried over within legislated timeline: 7
  • Carried over beyond legislated timeline: 0

1.2 Sources of request

Sources of request
Source Number of Requests
Media 1
Academia 0
Business (private sector) 2
Organization 0
Public 14
Decline to Identify 0
Total 17

1.3 Channels of requests

Channels of requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 2
Email 13
Mail 2
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 17

Section 2: Informal Requests

2.1 Number of informal requests

Number of informal requests
Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 4
Outstanding from previous reporting periods 0
  • Outstanding from previous reporting period: 0
  • Outstanding from more than one reporting period: 0
Total 4
Closed during reporting period 4
Carried over to next reporting period 0

2.2 Channels of informal requests

Channels of informal requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 0
Email 4
Mail 0
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 4

2.3 Completion time of informal requests

Completion time of informal requests
Completion Time
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4

2.4 Pages released informally

Pages released informally
Less Than 100 Pages Released 100 to 500
Pages Released
501 to 1000
Pages Released
1001 to 5000
Pages Released
More Than 5000
Pages Released
Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released
4 338 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2.5 Pages re-released informally

Pages re-released informally
Less Than 100 Pages Released 100 to 500
Pages Released
501 to 1000
Pages Released
1001 to 5000
Pages Released
More Than 5000
Pages Released
Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released Number of Requests Pages Released
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 3: Applications to the Information Commissioner on Declining to Act on Requests

Applications to the Information Commissioner on Declining to Act on Requests
Number of Requests
Outstanding from previous reporting period 0
Sent during reporting period 1
Total 1
Approved by the Information Commissioner during reporting period 0
Declined by the Information Commissioner during reporting period 0
Withdrawn during reporting period 0
Carried over to next reporting period 1

Section 4: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period

4.1 Disposition and completion time

Disposition and completion time
Disposition of Requests Completion Time
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Disclosed in part 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 4
All exempted 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
No records exist 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3
Request transferred 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Decline to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 3 2 2 2 1 0 0 10

4.2 Exemptions

Exemptions
Section Number of Requests
13(1)(a) 0
13(1)(b) 0
13(1)(c) 0
13(1)(d) 0
13(1)(e) 0
14 0
14(a) 0
14(b) 0
15(1) 1
15(1) - International Affairs 0
15(1) - Defence of Canada 0
15(1) - Subversive Activities 0
16(1)(a)(i) 0
16(1)(a)(ii) 0
16(1)(a)(iii) 0
16(1)(b) 0
16(1)(c) 0
16(1)(d) 0
16(2) 0
16(2)(a) 0
16(2)(b) 0
16(2)(c) 1
16(3) 0
16.1(1)(a) 4
16.1(1)(b) 0
16.1(1)(c) 0
16.1(1)(d) 0
16.2(1) 0
16.3 0
16.4(1)(a) 0
16.4(1)(b) 0
16.5 1
16.6 0
17 0
18(a) 0
18(b) 0
18(c) 0
18(d) 0
18.1(1)(a) 0
18.1(1)(b) 0
18.1(1)(c) 0
18.1(1)(d) 0
19(1) 2
20(1)(a) 1
20(1)(b) 1
20(1)(b.1) 0
20(1)(c) 1
20(1)(d) 1
20.1 0
20.2 0
20.4 0
21(1)(a) 2
21(1)(b) 2
21(1)(c) 2
21(1)(d) 0
22 0
22.1(1) 0
23 1
23.1 0
24(1) 0
26 0

4.3 Exclusions

Exclusions
Section Number of Requests
68(a) 0
68(b) 0
68(c) 0
68.1 0
68.2(a) 0
68.2(b) 0
69(1) 0
69(1)(a) 0
69(1)(b) 0
69(1)(c) 0
69(1)(d) 0
69(1)(e) 0
69(1)(f) 0
69(1)(g) re (a) 0
69(1)(g) re (b) 0
69(1)(g) re (c) 0
69(1)(g) re (d) 0
69(1)(g) re (e) 0
69(1)(g) re (f) 0
69.1(1) 0

4.4 Format of information released

Format of information released
Paper Electronic Other
E-record Data set Video Audio
0 10 0 0 0 0

4.5 Complexity

4.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed for paper and e‑record formats
Relevant pages processed and disclosed for paper and e-record formats
Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Disclosed Number of Requests
23,998 2,960 7
4.5.2 Relevant pages processed per request disposition for paper and e‑record formats by size of requests
Relevant pages processed per request disposition for paper and e-record formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101 to 500 Pages Processed 501 to 1000 Pages Processed 1001 to 5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
All disclosed 1 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 1 56 1 356 0 0 1 1,012 1 22,566
All exempted 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 4 64 1 356 0 0 1 1,012 1 22,566
4.5.3 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats
Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
4.5.4 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests
Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests
Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 to 120 Minutes Processed More Than 120 Minutes Processed
Disposition Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
4.5.5 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats
Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
4.5.6 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests
Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests
Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 to 120 Minutes Processed More Than 120 Minutes Processed
Disposition Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
4.5.7 Other complexities
Other complexities
Disposition Consultation Required Legal Advice Sought Other Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0

4.6 Closed requests

4.6.1 Number of requests closed within legislated timelines
Number of requests closed within legislated timelines
Number of requests closed within legislated timelines 10
Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines (%) 100

4.7 Deemed refusals

4.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines
Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines
Number of requests closed past the legislated timelines Principal Reason
Interference with Operations / Workload External Consultation Internal Consultation Other
0 0 0 0 0
4.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)
Requests closed beyond legislated timelines
Number of days past legislated timelines Number of requests past legislated timeline where no extension was taken Number of requests past legislated timeline where an extension was taken Total
1 to 15 days 0 0 0
16 to 30 days 0 0 0
31 to 60 days 0 0 0
61 to 120 days 0 0 0
121 to 180 days 0 0 0
181 to 365 days 0 0 0
More than 365 days 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

4.8 Requests for translation

Requests for translation
Translation Requests Accepted Refused Total
English to French 0 0 0
French to English 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

Section 5: Extensions

5.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests

Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests
Disposition of Requests Where an Extension Was Taken 9(1)(a)
Interference With Operations / Workload
9(1)(b)
Consultation
9(1)(c)
Third-Party Notice
Section 69 Other
All disclosed 1 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 4 0 0 1
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0
Decline to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0
Total 5 0 0 1

5.2 Length of extensions

Length of extensions
Length of Extensions 9(1)(a)
Interference With Operations
9(1)(b)
Consultation
9(1)(c)
Third-Party Notice
Section 69 Other
30 days or less 3 0 0 0
31 to 60 days 1 0 0 1
61 to 120 days 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 days 1 0 0 0
181 to 365 days 0 0 0 0
365 days or more 0 0 0 0
Total 5 0 0 1

Section 6: Fees

Fees
Fee Type Fee Collected Fee Waived Fee Refunded
Number of Requests Amount Number of Requests Amount Number of Requests Amount
Application 0 $0.00 17 $85.00 0 $0.00
Other fees 0 $0.00 0 $0.00 0 $0.00
Total 0 $0.00 17 $85.00 0 $0.00

Section 7: Consultations Received From Other Institutions and Organizations

7.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and organizations

Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and organizations
Consultations Other Government of Canada Institutions Number of Pages to Review Other Organizations Number of Pages to Review
Received during the reporting period 17 4,515 0 0
Outstanding from the previous reporting period 0 0 0 0
Total 17 4,515 0 0
Closed during the reporting period 17 4,515 0 0
Carried over within negotiated timelines 0 0 0 0
Carried over beyond negotiated timelines 0 0 0 0

7.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions

Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 13
Disclose in part 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Exempt entirely 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 15 0 0 0 0 0 17

7.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations outside the Government of Canada

Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations outside the Government of Canada
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclose in part 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 8: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences

8.1 Requests with Legal Services

Requests with Legal Services
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101 to 500 Pages Processed 501 to 1000 Pages Processed 1001 to 5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

8.2 Requests with Privy Council Office

Requests with Privy Council Office
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101 to 500 Pages Processed 501 to 1000 Pages Processed 1001 to 5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 9: Investigations and Reports of Finding

9.1 Investigations

Investigations
Section 32 Notice of Intention to Investigate Subsection 30(5) Ceased to Investigate Section 35 Formal Representations
3 1 1

9.2 Investigations and reports of finding

Investigations and reports of finding
Section 37(1) Initial Reports Section 37(2) Final Reports
Received Containing recommendations issued by the Information Commissioner Containing orders issued by the Information Commissioner Received Containing recommendations issued by the Information Commissioner Containing orders issued by the Information Commissioner
0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 10: Court Action

10.1 Court actions on complaints

Court actions on complaints
Section 41
Complainant (1) Institution (2) Third Party (3) Privacy Commissioner (4) Total
0 0 0 0 0

10.2 Court actions on third party notifications under paragraph 28(1)(b)

Court actions on third party notifications under paragraph 28(1)(b)
Section 44 - under paragraph 28(1)(b)
0

Section 11: Resources related to the Access to Information Act

11.1 Allocated costs

Allocated costs
Expenditures Amount
Salaries $192,984
Overtime $0
Goods and Services
  • Professional services contracts: $1,081
  • Other: $1,101
$2,182
Total $195,166

11.2 Human resources

Human resources
Resources Person Years Dedicated to
Access to Information Activities
Full-time employees 0.520
Part-time and casual employees 0.000
Regional staff 0.000
Consultants and agency personnel 0.000
Students 0.000
Total 0.520