Library and Archives Canada Annual Report on the Access to Information Act: 2024–2025

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Highlights

The following is a summary of the key achievements of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) regarding the administration of the Access to Information Act (the Act) during 2024–2025. The numbers presented below include both formal and informal access to information requests.

Introduction

The Act gives Canadian citizens, permanent residents and all individuals and corporations present in Canada the right of access to records under the control of a government institution subject to the Act. The Act complements, but does not replace, other means of obtaining government information.

The purpose of the Act is to enhance the accountability and transparency of federal institutions, to promote an open and democratic society and to enable public debate on the conduct of those institutions.

This report is prepared and tabled to Parliament in accordance with section 94 of the Access to Information Act.

Mandate of Library and Archives Canada

The mandate of LAC is

Organizational structure

The organizational chart below outlines the reporting structure relating to the ATIP Branch at LAC in 2024–2025. The number of full-time employees (FTEs) in each section has been included with the teams’ descriptions.

Figure 1: ATIP Branch reporting structure
Figure 1: ATIP Branch reporting structure - Text version

Description: This figure is a line organizational chart that shows the reporting structure of the Access to Information and Privacy Branch in 2024-2025.

  • Librarian and Archivist of Canada
    • Assistant Deputy Minister, Collections
      • Director General, Access to Information and Privacy and ATIP coordinator
        • Chief of Staff
        • Strategic Advisor
        • Senior Advisor
        • Manager, Complaints Management
        • Manager, Planning and Coordination
          • Director, Access to Information, Operational and Historical Requests Division
            • ATIP Managers
            • Archival Research, Operational and Historical Requests
            • Military and Intelligence Requests
            • Declassification
            • Block Review (Proactive Access)
            • LGBT Purge 4SA
          • Director, Privacy, Personnel Records and Indigenous Requests Division
            • ATIP Managers
            • Personnel Records - Gatineau
            • Personnel Records - Winnipeg
            • Indigenous Requests
            • Privacy Management
          • Director, ATIP Operations Support Division
            • ATIP Managers
            • Triage and Registration
            • Systems and Reporting
            • Policies, Procedures & Workflows
            • Recruitment, Training & Development

Office of the Director General, ATIP (14.58 FTEs during the reporting period)

Chief of Staff

Strategic Advisor

Senior Advisor

Complaints Management

Planning and Coordination

Access to Information, Operational and Historical Requests Division (52.47 FTEs during the reporting period)

Archival Research, Operational and Historical Requests

Military and Intelligence Requests

Declassification

Block Review (Proactive Access)

LGBT Purge 4SA

Privacy, Personnel Records and Indigenous Requests Division (65.12 FTEs during the reporting period)

Personnel Records – Gatineau

Personnel Records – Winnipeg

Indigenous Requests

Privacy Management

Operations Support Division (44.13 FTEs during the reporting period)

Triage and Registration

Systems and Reporting

Policies, Procedures and Workflows

Recruitment, Training and Development

Other supporting functions (112.07 FTEs during the reporting period)

Since the majority of the historical records requested are in paper format, LAC ATIP Branch requires the support of additional teams within the organization to be able to fulfill its duties. Supporting functions provided by Research Support (14.934 FTEs), Circulation (9.147 FTEs), Digitization (20.967 FTEs), Regional Services (4.645 FTEs), government archivists (16.992 FTEs) and other staff from the Collections Sector (7.893 FTEs) were essential to the processing of ATIP requests.

During the reporting period, the ATIP Branch continued to require external support to meet the expanded operational needs arising from the temporary funding provided in response to the OIC systemic investigation.

The ATIP Branch also required support from LAC’s corporate functions such as human resources, finance, real properties, policy and strategic support, communications, information technologies, information management and web (37.492 FTEs).

Functions related to proactive publication (2.34 FTEs during the reporting period)

The Information Management Team oversees LAC’s responsibilities related to Part 2—Proactive Publication by supporting the groups responsible for the proactive publication of each legislative requirement. For a breakdown of groups responsible for meeting each applicable proactive publication requirement, see the section Proactive Publication under Part 2 of the Act.

Service agreements

LAC was not party to any service agreements under section 96 of the Access to Information Act during the reporting period.

Delegation order

For the purposes of the Act, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages (formerly the Minister of Canadian Heritage), delegates their powers, authorities and responsibilities to LAC, who is then accountable for developing, coordinating and implementing effective policies, guidelines, systems and procedures. This delegation order ensures that the Minister’s responsibilities under the Act are met and that information is processed and disclosed appropriately.

At LAC, the Minister delegates their powers, authorities and responsibilities to:

The delegation order effective during the first part of 2024–2025 was issued by the Minister of Canadian Heritage to LAC in May 2016. During the reporting period, LAC reviewed its delegation order to align with its new ATIP Branch structure and to ensure effective delegation for its functions and requirements. The new simplified instrument, which was signed in August 2024, enables the delegation of actions to appropriate lower levels within the organization using a risk-based approach, promoting greater efficiency and quicker response time. The delegation order is currently being implemented. A copy can be found in the appendix A of this report.

Types of requests processed under the Access to Information Act

LAC has a distinct role in making accessible the historical government records of over 300 current and previously existing federal organizations. LAC is therefore the main channel to provide access to billions of pages of archival government records.

LAC’s collections of records are stored at its facilities in the National Capital Region, Renfrew, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

Government records

All government records deemed to have enduring historical (archival) value are transferred to LAC after they are no longer needed for operational purposes in the institution that created them. LAC thus collects, preserves and provides access to historical records created by the various departments and agencies of the federal government. The material in the collection amounts to over 250 linear kilometres of textual, cartographic, photographic, audiovisual and digital records dating back to 1867. The majority of these records are not openly available as they might contain sensitive or personal information that must be reviewed in accordance with ATIP legislation.

Requests to access historical records are typically large in scope and complex, as they often comprise multiple voluminous files. In addition, as LAC is not the creator of these records, it may need to consult with the originating institution prior to releasing information, which can result in longer processing time.

Files of former CAF members and former FPS

LAC holds and preserves 4.85 million personnel files of former CAF members and former FPS. Many of these files are semi-active, meaning they continue to be consulted for ongoing programs and benefits.

The control and supervision of the War Records Division of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and all its records were transferred to LAC in accordance with Order in Council P.C. 1971–1989. Since 1971, LAC has worked with the relevant institutions (DND, VAC and Public Services and Procurement Canada) to provide necessary access to these records. Most of the ATI and privacy requests received each year by LAC are to access the military personnel files of former members of the CAF. These include:

LAC also processes requests for the medical or dental records of CAF regular and reserve members who were released from service more than five years ago or who died in service more than five years ago.

In addition, LAC holds the dormant records of former FPS that were transferred to LAC prior to July 2017. These records are held until a public servant becomes 80 years old, at which time that individual’s records can be destroyed. However, due to a litigation hold currently in place, no records are being destroyed at this time. Since July 2017, LAC no longer accepts the personnel files of former FPS for long-term retention. This is aligned with LAC's mandate to acquire and preserve records deemed to have archival value. Personnel records of former CAF members may be stored at LAC while awaiting the end of the retention period, after which they transfer to permanent or archival status. FPS records are not deemed to have archival value and can be destroyed under certain conditions once the retention period has been met, and barring any active litigation holds. As the personnel files of all CAF members will become archival, LAC will continue to receive them in perpetuity.

LAC operational records

While the overwhelming majority of LAC’s ATIP workload relates to its unique role in providing access to restricted archival records created by other GC institutions, LAC ATIP also has responsibilities relating to LAC’s own operations as an institution of the GC. These responsibilities include processing requests for records created by LAC itself or by its predecessor institutions, the National Library or National Archives, ensuring that LAC is meeting its responsibilities under the Act (including ATI regulations, policies and directives) and providing ATIP subject-matter expertise to support responses to parliamentary questions.

Formal and informal ATI request processes

Formal requests are those officially made under the Access to Information Act. There is a $5 application fee for formal requests. Since February 2024, Indigenous requesters or their representatives can request fee waivers under the condition of advancing reconciliation. Formal requests also require a response within 30 calendar days of the date the request was received by LAC. Requesters are entitled to make a formal complaint about the processing time of their request to the Office of the Information Commissioner 30 days after its receipt by LAC.

Informal requests are not covered under the Act but are reviewed in the spirit of the Act. There are no application fees, no legislated timelines and no recourse or complaint mechanism for informal requests. The number of requests received and the complexity of each request determine the time frames for completing informal requests.

LAC processes both formal and informal requests. Both processes require a page-by-page review of records by an ATIP analyst.

Table 1: Types of records processed under the Access to Information Act in 2024–2025

Type of record

Type of request

Requests outstanding from previous reporting periods

Requests received

Requests completed

Requests carried over to next reporting period within legislated timelines

Requests carried over to next reporting period beyond legislated timelines

Total requests carried over to next reporting period

Personnel files of former CAF members and former FPS

Formal

1,167

3,856

3,758

1,180

85

1,265

Informal

7,743

635

4,927

155

3,296

3,451

Total

8,910

4,491

8,685

1,335

3,381

4,716

GC archival records

Formal

2,236

1,327

1,417

436

1,710

2,146

Informal

517

2,865

2,833

46

503

549

Total

2,753

4,192

4,250

482

2,213

2,695

LAC operational records

Formal

6

32

23

15

0

15

Informal

1

15

13

3

0

3

Total

7

47

36

18

0

18

Grand total (all types of records)

Formal

3,409

5,215

5,198

1,631

1,795

3,426

Informal

8,261

3,515

7,773

204

3,799

4,003

Total

11,670

8,730

12,971

1,835

5,594

7,429

Interpretation of the statistical report on the Access to Information Act

All statistics included in these reports are representative of the most current data available to LAC at the time of writing the 2024–2025 ATI Annual Report.

Informal requests processed under the Access to Information Act

The following figure provides a three-year overview of informal ATI requests at LAC.

Figure 2: Informal ATI requests trends
Figure 2: Informal ATI requests trends - Text version

Description: This triple bar graph shows the number of Informal Access to Information requests received. It provides information for the last three fiscal years.

Outstanding from previous reporting period

  • 2022-2023: 13,710
  • 2023-2024: 14,292
  • 2024-2025: 8,261

Received:

  • 2022-2023: 4,061
  • 2023-2024: 1,570
  • 2024-2025: 3,515

Closed:

  • 2022-2023: 3,514
  • 2023-2024: 7,599
  • 2024-2025: 7,773

Carried over to the next reporting period:

  • 2022-2023: 14,257
  • 2023-2024: 8,263
  • 2024-2025: 4,003

Informal ATI requests received

During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, LAC received a total of 3,515 informal ATI requests, 841 of which required a page-by-page review of records.

The remaining 2,674 requests were to access records previously released in ATI requests, a considerable increase compared to 802 requests to access previously released records received in 2023–2024. In June 2024, LAC started publishing records released under the Act online while continuing to process incoming informal requests to access these records. As its website was gradually being populated, more documents were made available through self-service and a lower number of documents needed to be delivered to clients manually. Direct download links were also added to the Open Government website to allow clients to download the documents instantly instead of having to submit an informal request.

The majority of the informal requests received pertain to government archival records (82%). However, LAC still receives and processes a number of informal requests for personnel records (18%).

Figure 3: Informal ATI requests received by type of record
Figure 3: Informal ATI requests received by type of record - Text version

Description: This figure is a pie graph that shows the number of informal ATI requests received in 2024-2025 by type of record.

Former CAF and FPS Personnel Records: 18%

Government Archival Records: 82%

LAC Operational Records: Less than 1%

Informal ATI requests completed

In 2024–2025, LAC responded to 7,773 informal ATI requests, similar to the previous fiscal year, during which 7,599 informal ATI requests were completed.

A total of 336,031 pages were reviewed during the processing of these requests in 2024–2025, compared to 326,176 pages reviewed in 2023–2024.

Figure 4: Informal ATI requests: pages reviewed by type of record
Figure 4: Informal ATI requests: pages reviewed by type of record - Text version

Description: This triple bar graph shows the number of pages reviewed by type of record for Informal Access to Information requests. It provides information for the last three fiscal years.

LAC Operational Records:

  • 2022-2023: 7,086
  • 2023-2024: 678
  • 2024-2025: 315

Government Archival Records:

  • 2022-2023: 167,392
  • 2023-2024: 146,103
  • 2024-2025: 166,879

Former CAF and FPS Personnel:

  • 2022-2023: 88,611
  • 2023-2024: 179,395
  • 2024-2025: 168,837

LAC continues to promote digital delivery, but requesters may request paper copies of records. In addition, LAC also continued to offer its clients the ability to consult original records on site at its various facilities in the National Capital Region, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

Figure 5: Informal ATI requests - Release package formats
Figure 5: Informal ATI requests - Release package formats - Text version

Description: This bar graph shows the number of release packages for Informal requests that were delivered during last fiscal year and in which format.

Digital: 7,029

Hard Copy: 218

On site: 18

Informal ATI requests carried over to next reporting period

At the end of the reporting period, LAC carried over 4,003 informal ATI requests to 2025–2026, a decrease of 52% compared to 8,263 carried from 2023–2024 to 2024–2025.

LAC received temporary funding following the OIC systemic investigation in 2022, which has allowed the institution to increase its resources and improve its capacity to process its substantial volume of requests, thus reducing the overall backlog and the number of requests carried over.

While informal requests are not subject to the legislated time frames for formal requests under the Act, LAC strives to limit the number of days that it takes to complete informal ATI requests as much as possible.

Formal requests processed under the Access to Information Act

The following figure provides a three-year overview of formal ATI requests at LAC.

Figure 6: Formal ATI requests trends
Figure 6: Formal ATI requests trends - Text version

Description: This triple bar graph shows the number of Formal Access to Information requests received. It provides information for the last three fiscal years.

Outstanding from previous reporting period:

  • 2022-2023: 2,463
  • 2023-2024: 3,113
  • 2024-2025: 3,409

Received:

  • 2022-2023: 2,536
  • 2023-2024: 4,297
  • 2024-2025: 5,215

Closed:

  • 2022-2023: 1,886
  • 2023-2024: 4,000
  • 2024-2025: 5,198

Carried over to next reporting period:

  • 2022-2023: 3,113
  • 2023-2024: 3,410
  • 2024-2025: 3,426

Formal ATI requests received

During the 2024–2025 fiscal year, LAC received a total of 5,215 formal ATI requests:

Compared to the previous year, LAC observed an increase of 21% in the number of formal ATI requests received (5,215 compared to 4,297 in 2023–2024).

Figure 7: Formal ATI requests received by type of records
Figure 7: Formal ATI requests received by type of records - Text version

Description: This figure is a pie graph that shows the number of Formal Access to Information requests received in 2024-2025 by type of record.

Former CAF and FPS Personnel Records: 74%

Government Archival Records: 25%

LAC Operational Records: 1%

Formal ATI requests completed

In 2024–2025, LAC completed 5,198 formal ATI requests:

The total of 5,198 represents an increase of 30% compared to the 4,000 requests completed last fiscal year.

The following table provides information on the disposition of formal ATI requests completed during 2024–2025.

Table 2: Disposition of ATI formal requests

Disposition of requests

Total

All disclosed

1,212 (23%)

Disclosed in part

3,022 (58%)

All exempted

10 (0%)

All excluded

143 (3%)

No records exist

356 (7%)

Request transferred

0 (0%)

Request abandoned

455 (9%)

Neither confirmed nor denied

0 (0%)

Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner

0 (0%)

Total

5,198

Requests closed within legislated timelines

In 2024–2025, LAC completed 63% (3,284 of 5,198) of formal ATI requests within legislated timelines. This represents an increase of 8% from 2023–2024, when 2,193 of 4,000 requests (55%) were completed within the legislated timelines.

Progress made on requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extensions taken)

Of the 1,914 requests closed beyond legislated timelines, 83% (1,585) exceeded timelines including additional extensions taken, and 17% (329) exceeded timelines where no extension was taken.

The following table provides information on the completion time for formal ATI requests completed during 2024–2025.

Table 3: Completion time for formal ATI requests

Number of days

Requests completed within timelines

Requests completed beyond timelines

Total requests completed

0 to 15 days

778

0

778 (15%)

16 to 30 days

412

0

412 (8%)

31 to 60 days

382

34

416 (8%)

61 to 120 days

1,568

232

1,800 (35%)

121 to 180 days

43

892

935 (18%)

181 to 365 days

77

401

478 (9%)

More than 365 days

24

355

379 (7%)

Total

3,284

1,914

5,198

Other complexities

Over the past fiscal year, LAC dedicated significant resources to fulfilling an unexpected access to information request related to the disclosure of the Deschênes Part II Report, from the Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals 1985-1986. The nature and complexity of the request required the work of approximately 50 employees from across the organization. Consequently, during the processing of this request LAC needed to adjust priorities, resulting in delays in addressing the backlog of overdue requests, implementing new policies and procedures and responding to new requests.

A unique challenge for LAC lies in the nature of the collection: it is primarily composed of physical, analog records—original source materials that were not born digital and have never been digitized. These billions of pages, originating from over 300 government institutions, exist in a wide variety of formats and are dispersed across multiple storage facilities nationwide. Every time an ATI or privacy request is received, a complex process begins: records must be identified, physically located, transported and digitized before any review or disclosure work can even start.

Adding to this complexity is the fact that many records are poorly described—or not described at all—making them difficult to locate without the specialized knowledge of LAC archivists. The situation is further complicated by preservation requirements: some documents, due to their age and fragility, are stored in climate-controlled environments and must be handled with exceptional care. In certain cases, records require mould remediation before digitization can occur—a necessary but time-consuming step. In 2024–2025, this remediation process alone accounted for 27% of all identified complexities in ATI request processing (61 of 223 instances).

After the relevant records have been retrieved and physically prepared (bindings removed, etc.), they are digitized. The speed at which materials are digitized depends on their physical state (fragile or stable), their physical size and the effort required to ensure images are captured clearly to be uploaded and processed in the ATIP redaction software. All these activities must occur before an ATIP analyst begins to review the digitized material for release.

When necessary, LAC consults institutions which created the records for recommendations from subject matter experts on potential severances when enduring exemptions may still apply. Consulting other government institutions adds a complexity for LAC, given that any consultation request is added to the ATI requests that those institutions already have to process themselves and depends on their subject-matter expertise on historical records. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, consultations with institutions accounted for 72% of the total complexities identified (161 of 223).

In addition to the complexities above, in 2024–2025 LAC completed one formal ATI request for which it sought legal advice. One additional request for legal advice was also conducted in response to complaints and orders by the Information Commissioner.

In order to complete the review of a record in a non-official language, LAC translated a document into English to evaluate under the Access to Information Act. Subsequent to that request, a new policy and procedure for dealing with documents in non-official languages has been implemented.

Extensions

In 2024–2025, LAC invoked 3,652 extensions under paragraph 9(1)(a) (Interference with operations/workload), 274 extensions under paragraph 9(1)(b) (Consultation—Other) and one extension under paragraph 9(1)(c) (Third-Party Notice).

The following table shows the length of extensions taken by LAC for ATI requests completed in 2024–2025.

Table 4: Length of extensions

Length of extension

9(1)(a) Interference with operations/workload

9(1)(b) Consultation – Other

9(1)(c) Third-Party Notice

30 days or less

90

7

1

31 to 60 days

1,399

25

0

61 to 120 days

2,089

45

0

121 to 180 days

34

101

0

181 to 365 days

26

69

0

366 days or more

14

27

0

Total

3,652

274

1

Pages reviewed and released under formal ATI requests

The 5,198 requests completed in 2024–2025 required the review of 1,336,755 pages of records. This represents an increase of 80% compared to the volume of pages reviewed in 2023–2024 (741,348 pages).

Figure 8: Formal ATI requests: pages reviewed by types of record
Figure 8: Formal ATI requests: pages reviewed by types of record - Text version

Description: This triple bar graph shows the number of pages reviewed by type of record for Formal Access to Information requests. It provides information for the last three fiscal years.

LAC Operational Records:

  • 2022-2023: 1,697
  • 2023-2024: 28,230
  • 2024-2025: 10,002

Government Archival Records:

  • 2022-2023: 178,618
  • 2023-2024: 423,611
  • 2024-2025: 704,263

CAF and FPS Personnel Records:

  • 2022-2023: 103,308
  • 2023-2024: 289,507
  • 2024-2025: 622,490

While LAC continues to promote access through digital delivery, requesters may choose to receive records in hard copy (paper).

Figure 9: Formal ATI requests release packages format
Figure 9: Formal ATI requests release packages format - Text version

Description: This bar graph shows the number of release packages that were delivered during last fiscal year and in which format.

Digital: 3,532

Hard Copy: 702

Formal ATI requests carried over to next reporting period

At the end of the reporting period, LAC carried over a total of 3,426 formal requests, compared to 3,410 requests carried over to 2024–2025. LAC was able to keep the number of requests carried over stable despite a 21% increase in the number of requests received, a 30% increase in the number of requests closed and an 80% increase in the number of pages reviewed. The temporary funding LAC received to increase its capacity to respond to ATI and privacy requests significantly contributed to these results.

Table 5: Requests carried over to next reporting period, broken down by reporting period received

Reporting period when requests carried over were received

Requests carried over that are within legislated timelines as of March 31, 2025

Requests carried over that are beyond legislated timelines as of March 31, 2025

Total

2024–2025

1,559

137

1,696

2023–2024

45

94

139

2022–2023

24

239

263

2021–2022

0

370

370

2020–2021

0

334

334

2019–2020

1

413

414

2018–2019

1

89

90

2017–2018

1

89

90

2016–2017

0

22

22

2015–2016 or earlier

0

8

8

Total

1,631

1,795

3,426

Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations

In 2024–2025, LAC received 12 consultation requests from other GC institutions and completed nine requests, amounting to the review of 298 pages. LAC carried over three consultation requests into the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

The following table outlines the time required to process the consultation requests completed by LAC in 2024–2025.

Table 6: Number of days required to complete consultation requests

Recommendation

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

6

1

0

0

0

0

0

7

Disclose in part

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

2

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

7

2

0

0

0

0

0

9

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

LAC received no requests for consultations from other organizations outside of the GC in 2024–2025.

Requests for translation

LAC did not translate any documents from English to French or from French to English in 2024–2025.

Investigations

In 2024–2025, LAC received 168 notifications of intention to investigate from the OIC, compared to 129 in 2023–2024. At the end of the reporting period, LAC had 123 open complaints, a decrease of 17% compared to the previous reporting period (149).

Table 7: Number of active complaints as of the end of the fiscal year, broken down by specific reporting period in which they were received

Reporting period when active complaints were received by institution

Total

2024-2025

71

2023-2024

29

2022-2023

13

2021-2022

3

2020-2021

1

2019-2020

5

2018-2019

0

2017-2018

0

2016-2017

0

2015-2016 or earlier

1

Total

123

In 2024–2025, LAC received 104 orders from the Information Commissioner. Of the Information Commissioner’s applications for review submitted to the Federal Court of Canada in response to orders, eight were filed by LAC and one by a complainant.

Resources related to the Access to Information Act

In addition to the activities undertaken by LAC’s ATIP Branch, it is important to recognize the essential support provided by staff throughout the institution—such as archivists and employees in the front-line public service area of Research Support and the behind-the-scenes areas of Circulation, Preservation, Digitization, Translation, Information Technologies and Web Publishing—who contributed significantly to the ATI and privacy functions and helped ensure LAC’s compliance with the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act and related policies.

At the end of the reporting period, 190.995 full-time equivalents were performing work associated to the application of the acts across the institution. This is significant given that the institution’s total number of employees in 2024–2025 was 1,201 FTEs, meaning that 16% were involved in ensuring the processing of ATI and privacy requests.

Additional resources from outside the ATIP Branch continued to be necessary to support the expanded operational requirements resulting from the temporary funding received following the OIC systemic investigation. These resources included expenditures on professional services contracts for digital services, such as procuring additional secure workstations and implementing new information technologies.

LAC’s additional temporary funding helped reduce the number of requests carried over to 2024–2025 by 34%. This substantive decrease demonstrates LAC’s efforts to improve its capacity and its ability to meet the annual volume of incoming requests. This multi-year temporary investment of resources will allow LAC to reduce and ultimately eliminate its backlog of overdue requests and to meet the volume of incoming requests annually, including supporting responses to GC class action litigation that arrive through the ATIP channel.

Training and awareness

Coordination of training and recruitment for the ATIP Branch is centralized within the ATIP Recruitment, Training and Development Team. During 2024-2025, the Branch onboarded new employees and students and reached out to an Indigenous community to improve Indigenous workforce representation at LAC. Furthermore, the Branch standardized staffing documents while finalizing supporting documents for the Career Development Program for ATIP analysts at LAC, including performance assessment templates and training and development guides. The Branch also facilitated the enrolment of selected LAC ATIP staff to the ATIP Training Program with the Association of Access to Information and Privacy Professionals.

Moreover, the ATIP Branch collaborated with other areas within LAC to provide basic training materials to new ATIP staff on how to navigate archival records and resources available at LAC. The Branch also created internal training microlearning courses tailored specifically for LAC ATIP staff. These courses cover a broad range of topics, including international requesters, key dates, client codes for personnel records, required documents for ATIP requests and searching in the Military and Government Personnel Information Index. The courses are designed to ensure that staff have access to thorough and up-to-date learning resources and can be used as reference tools as they are easily accessible.

LAC also continued to offer both group and ATIP Branch-specific training sessions to its staff. Nine presentations highlighting the work of various teams within the ATIP Branch were delivered to a broad LAC audience, enhancing staff understanding of the diverse roles and responsibilities within LAC ATIP. These sessions promote collaboration and keep employees informed about the overall operations of the ATIP Branch, including significant changes.

Towards the end of the fiscal year, training was provided to prepare for the implementation of the new case management software, ATIPXpress. A total of fourteen training sessions about various workflows and functionalities were offered and were specifically tailored to the role of each team. Individual and group question and answer sessions were also organized, as needed. The Branch also created a hub in its collaborative portal where all the procedures are readily available for staff to use.

Policies, guidelines and procedures

In July 2024, TBS published the Policy Guidance on the Disclosure of Historical Records. Following the release, LAC updated its approach and procedures regarding the disclosure of historical records and information that have reached a certain age, which differs depending on the section of the Access to Information Act that applies. This demonstrates LAC’s commitment to continuous improvement and its dedication to making processes more efficient to provide timely and more consistent responses to ATIP requests.

LAC introduced a procedure to manage requests from individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Act. This approach enabled staff to promptly identify and close ineligible requests, thereby streamlining operations and minimizing unnecessary workload. ATIP employees received training to ensure they understand the eligibility criteria and were equipped to communicate effectively with clients and appropriately close such requests. As a result, requesters received quicker responses, and LAC avoided a backlog of requests that cannot be processed.

Initiatives and projects to improve access to information

Consultation and engagement

Created in 2023, the Archival Research Team at LAC continued producing research reports to help analysts make informed decisions about the release of information, with the goal of reducing or eliminating the need for consultation with other institutions and to inform LAC on the analysis and disclosure of potentially sensitive information (personal or access related). In 2024–2025, over 300 research reports were created, and consequently LAC saw a decrease of 86% in the number of consultations required on military and intelligence subjects, excluding consultations with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Out of 140 requests closed on military and intelligence subjects that would normally have required consultation to obtain subject matter expertise from the originating institution, 121 no longer required external consultation. Through the course of the year, the work of the Archival Research Team has become an integral up-front part of the ATIP analysis process. The quality and effectiveness of the research reports enabled LAC to assert its delegated authority under ATI and privacy in a responsible and informed manner and to provide quicker responses to clients.

LAC continues to play an active role in the reviews of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, working closely with the Treasury Board Secretariat and federal partners. This collaboration ensures LAC’s archival expertise and mandate—to preserve and provide access to government records—are reflected in policy updates that balance transparency with the protection of personal information. As co-lead of an interdepartmental working group on the complaints process, LAC also contributed to broader ATIP system improvements. In parallel, LAC supported discussions on declassification strategies and Indigenous data sovereignty initiatives.

LAC has held regular meetings with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to explore ways to connect data related to Indigenous requests between both of their websites and to promote the sharing of best practices and tools. LAC also continued meetings with the National Claims Research Directors to engage with them and to advise them of new ATIP processes and LAC’s progress in tackling overdue requests and keeping up with ongoing volume.

Through the course of the fiscal year, LAC ATIP regularly engaged with high-volume requesters to help prioritize files and better understand the evolving needs. These ongoing conversations helped support client-focused service delivery, efficient resource planning and timely responses within legislative deadlines. They also provided opportunities to gather feedback on the ATIP process, promote a clearer understanding of procedures and strengthen collaboration throughout the review process.

Technology-related initiatives

At the end of June 2024, LAC launched a new database of previously released ATI requests for LAC archival records. As LAC does not translate all the archival records found in its collection, this material is provided in the original language in which it was created. This new website, which is updated monthly to make the most recent archival records that were reviewed in response to ATI requests available to the public, quickly demonstrated great relevance and popularity. As of March 31, 2025, approximately 3,800 responses to ATI requests containing archival records from the past ten years were available on the website. Over 12,000 records had been downloaded, and 10,000 records had been viewed in the integrated viewer. This direct client self-serve approach freed up ATIP team members to focus on new incoming requests and clearing backlogs rather than spending time issuing re-release packages.

While going through the thousands of released packages to compile the metadata to populate this website, LAC took the opportunity to gather relevant information about each record, which was reused for other purposes within the institution and by other institutions. This work also allowed for the update and opening of records in LAC’s online Collection search tool.

Through the course of the fiscal year, LAC completed the configuration of its new case management system, ATIPXpress, on the Protected B network. LAC began registering and processing new incoming requests using ATIPXpress as of April 1, 2025.

LAC also expanded its secure network infrastructure, improving its ability to manage digital and digitized sensitive and classified records more efficiently. These upgrades ensured that requests involving Secret and Top Secret information were handled in a more timely manner while ensuring full compliance with Government of Canada security standards. The strengthened secure network capacity also enabled more efficient secure communication and collaboration with other government institutions on matters involving classified records.

Other initiatives

LAC’s unique role within the GC entails processing additional request types to support LAC’s mandate to provide access to Canada’s documentary heritage and serve as the continuing documentary memory of the federal government. In addition to the support to its ATIP function, as part of LAC’s response to the OIC systemic investigation, LAC is also ensuring informal review mechanisms are taking place, where possible.

Over the course of the past fiscal year, LAC has proactively worked on opening large numbers of pages of documents through various initiatives, which are listed below. Once these pages are fully open, the records no longer require an ATIP request.

Proactive access (Block Review)

LAC reviews records proactively to see if they can be made public—sometimes even before anyone asks for them through an ATI request. If no major risks or reasons to withhold the information are found, records or groups of similar records are made accessible. Descriptive records are updated, and the record blocks are marked as “open” in LAC’s database. Once records are marked as open, Canadians can view the physical records on site without further intervention or request digitized copies without needing to file an ATI request.

In 2024–2025, LAC reviewed over six million pages of archival documents and made more than 4.5 million pages readily available for Canadians to access. This now marks over 60 million pages reviewed and opened since the beginning of this program in 2010. The remaining records reviewed that contained information that must be protected remained restricted in LAC’s database but still benefitted from improved descriptions and validated security classifications following the review.

Declassification

Declassification refers to lowering or removing a record’s security classification. LAC supported this process by reviewing the historical government records in its holdings, analyzing their content and submitting declassification recommendations to the originating institutions. Although these records have been officially transferred to LAC, only the federal institutions that originally created them have the authority to approve their declassification in accordance with current GC security policy.

In 2024–2025, LAC reviewed 541,000 pages of records and sent 206,000 to the originating institutions with recommendations for declassification. Of those, 46,000 pages have been approved by the originating institutions, while 160,000 pages are still awaiting a response. Declassifying records not only helps LAC manage its collections more efficiently but also strengthens transparency by giving Canadians easier access to their history.

LGBT Purge Fourth Supplementary Settlement Agreement

During the last reporting period, LAC completed its portion of the ATIP-informed work related to the LGBT Purge Fourth Supplementary Settlement Agreement, marking a key milestone in this significant initiative. Working in collaboration with other government institutions, LAC reviewed approximately 11,000 pages of material. This effort underscored a strong commitment to transparency, accountability and the preservation and sharing of historical records that document the experiences of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals within the federal public service and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Summary of key issues and actions taken on complaints

LAC remains committed to actively addressing the complaints it receives while maintaining a collaborative relationship with both the OIC and its requesters. It also remains actively engaged with TBS and other federal institutions to improve the ATIP system, serving as co-lead of an interdepartmental working group focused on enhancing the complaints management process.

In 2024–2025, LAC closed 189 complaints, involving the review and processing of more than 45,000 pages of records. At the end of the reporting period, LAC had a total of 123 open complaints with the OIC compared to 149 in 2023–2024, a decrease of 17%.

OIC systemic investigation

Official reports by the Information Commissioner regarding the systemic investigation of LAC were tabled in Parliament on April 26, 2022. These highlighted LAC shortcomings as well as GC-wide issues with declassification and consultation processes:

Following the tabling of these reports, LAC received significant temporary funding to reduce its backlog, manage ongoing volume and support litigation planning and response. An ATIP Action Plan was implemented to respond to the OIC’s recommendations and address LAC’s systemic ATI issues. It provides the foundation for important changes, and LAC continues to publish two progress reports on LAC’s website each year.

Proactive publication under Part 2 of the Act

LAC is a government institution for the purpose of Part 2 of the Access to Information Act. Although proactive publication is required under the Access to Information Act, publishing this information on the Open Government Portal is specifically mandated by the Directive on Open Government.

As per TBS requirements, during 2024–2025 LAC proactively published the information indicated in the table below.

Table 8: Proactive publication

Legislative Requirement

Section of ATIA

Publication Timeline

Does requirement apply to your institution? (Y/N)

Internal group(s) or positions(s) responsible for fulfilling requirement

% of proactive publication requirements published within legislated timelines*

Link to web page where published**

Apply to all Government Institutions as defined in section 3 of the Access to Information Act

Travel Expenses

82

Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement

Y

Financial Services and Procurement

 100%

Travel expenses (Open Government Portal)

Hospitality Expenses

83

Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement

Y

Financial Services and Procurement

 100%

Hospitality expenses

(Open Government Portal)

Reports tabled in Parliament

84

Within 30 days after tabling

Y

Various OPI, but mostly with Accountability, Governance and Corporate Affairs

 100%

Open Government Portal

Apply to government entities or Departments, agencies, and other bodies subject to the Act and listed in Schedules I, I.1, or II of the Financial Administration Act

Contracts over $10,000

86

Q1-3: Within 30 days after the quarter

Q4: Within 60 days after the quarter

Y

Financial Services and Procurement

 100%

Contracts over $10,000

(Open Government Portal)

Grants & Contributions over $25,000

87

Within 30 days after the quarter

Y

Outreach and Engagement

50%

Grants and contributions

(Open Government Portal)

Packages of briefing materials prepared for new or incoming deputy heads or equivalent

88(a)

Within 120 days after appointment

Y

Various OPI across LAC

Not available last fiscal year

New or incoming deputy heads

(Open Government Portal)

Titles and reference numbers of memoranda prepared for a deputy head or equivalent, that is received by their office

88(b)

Within 30 days after the end of the month received

Y

 ATIP Branch

100%

Briefing note titles and numbers

(Open Government Portal)

Packages of briefing materials prepared for a deputy head or equivalent’s appearance before a committee of Parliament

88(c)

Within 120 days after appearance

Y

Not available last fiscal year

Parliamentary Committee appearances for deputy heads

(Open Government Portal)

Applies to government institutions that are departments named in Schedule I to the Financial Administration Act or portions of the core public administration named in Schedule IV to that Act (i.e., government institutions for which Treasury Board is the employer)

Reclassification of positions

85

Within 30 days after the quarter

Y

Human Resources and Security

100%

Government position reclassifications

(Open Government Portal)

Apply to Ministers’ Offices (therefore apply to any institution that performs proactive publication on behalf of a Minister’s Office)

Packages of briefing materials prepared by a government institution for new or incoming ministers

74(a)

Within 120 days after appointment

N

Titles and reference numbers of memoranda prepared by a government institution for the minister, that is received by their office

74(b)

Within 30 days after the end of the month received

N

Package of question period notes prepared by a government institution for the minister and in use on the last sitting day of the House of Commons in June and December

74(c)

Within 30 days after last sitting day of the House of Common in June and December

N

Packages of briefing materials prepared by a government institution for a minister’s appearance before a committee of Parliament

74(d)

Within 120 days after appearance

N

Travel Expenses

75

Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement

N

Hospitality Expenses

76

Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement

N

Contracts over $10,000

77

Q1-3: Within 30 days after the quarter

Q4: Within 60 days after the quarter

N

Ministers’ Offices Expenses

Note: This consolidated report is currently published by TBS on behalf of all institutions.

78

Within 120 days after the fiscal year

N

To facilitate the publication of this information, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were finalized through the course of the fiscal year between the Offices of Primary Interest and the Chief Information Officer concerning the publication of Part 2 proactive disclosures on the Open Government Portal. These MOUs specify the roles and responsibilities of each party, as well as the objectives, scope, duration and implementation date of the agreement.

Moreover, three presentations were offered by the Information Management Team to LAC’s Administrative Services Forum, comprised of key stakeholders involved in proactive publication, to share key reminders around the publication process of briefing note titles.

Monitoring compliance

In fiscal year 2024–2025, LAC continued to monitor the time taken to process ATI requests through its specialized ATIP software AccessPro Case Management (APCM). This software enabled LAC to track all activities related to requests (e.g., time management, correspondence, consultations and application fees) and allowed each activity to be reported on with specific timelines.

LAC maintained its efforts to monitor data integrity through comprehensive monthly reviews conducted by a system specialist, which facilitated compliance with applicable regulations, policies and procedures as well as accurate reporting. Managers and team leads used automated dashboards to assess their teams’ workloads and to track the timeliness of the completion of requests. Branch management meetings regularly reviewed and discussed the overall workload to facilitate improvements in completion times. Additional tools such as dashboards, system-designed reports and search builders were available to all users, allowing them to track all active and closed requests for accuracy and completeness.

Proactive publication operates in a decentralized model at LAC, with support and monitoring from LAC’s Information Management Team. Each specific team involved is accountable for its respective section of the legislation. The ATIP Branch is responsible for the publication of briefing note titles and ATI summaries on the Open Government website. In the last reporting period, this work was tracked using APCM.

LAC supports the right of public access to information by incorporating in its contracts standardized clauses, such as provisions that comply with the Act. LAC also publishes summaries of its sharing agreements and arrangements on the Info Source website. In 2024–2025, LAC started building internal procedures with the Contracting, Partnership and Privacy teams to ensure that updates to Info Source are being done on a regular basis by each team.

Appendices

Appendix A: Delegation Order – Access to Information Act

As head of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) for the purposes of the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Privacy Act (PA), the Minister of Canadian Heritage, pursuant to subsections 95(1) of the ATIA and 73(1) of the PA, delegates the following powers, duties and functions under these Acts to the persons holding the LAC positions set out in the schedule hereto, as well as to the persons occupying those positions on an acting basis. This delegation order replaces any previous delegation order.

As of August 16th,2024, a new delegation order was signed by Minister St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage at the time, replacing the previous delegation order.

Original signed by:

The Honourable Pascale St-Onge
Minister of Canadian Heritage
Date: 2024-08-16

Positions Access to Information Act and Regulations Privacy Act and Regulations
  • Librarian and Archivist of Canada
  • Assistant Deputy Minister, Collections
  • Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator
  • Director, ATIP Branch
  • Manager, ATIP
Full authority (including for the Act as it was prior to June 21, 2019) Full authority
  • Team Lead, ATIP
  • Senior Analyst, ATIP
  • Analyst, ATIP
  • Junior Analyst, ATIP
  • Senior Lead Archivist
  • Lead Archivist
  • Senior Archivist
  • Archivist
Full Authority, except for paragraphs 12(2)(b) and 12(3)(b) of the Act (including for the Act as it was prior to June 21, 2019) Authority for sections 18 to 37 of the Act and subsection 72(1) of the Act
Junior Officer, ATIP Authority for subsection 19(1) of the Act (including for the Act as it was prior to June 21, 2019) Authority for section 26 of the Act

Appendix B: Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act

Name of institution: Library and Archives Canada

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-03-31

Section 1: Requests Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Number of requests received

Number of requests

Received during reporting period

5,215

Outstanding from previous reporting periods

3,409

Outstanding from previous reporting period

1,512

-

Outstanding from more than one reporting period

1,897

-

Total

8,624

Closed during reporting period

5,198

Carried over to next reporting period

3,426

Carried over within legislated timeline

1,631

-

Carried over beyond legislated timeline

1,795

-

1.2 Source of requests

Source

Number of requests

Media

48

Academia

634

Business (private sector)

88

Organization

85

Public

1,598

Decline to identify

2,762

Total

5,215

1.3 Channels of requests

Source

Number of requests

Online

3,637

Email

469

Mail

1,039

In person

1

Phone

0

Fax

69

Total

5,215

Section 2: Informal requests

2.1 Number of informal requests

Number of requests

Received during reporting period

3,515

Outstanding from previous reporting periods

8,261

Outstanding from previous reporting period

273

-

Outstanding from more than one reporting period

7,988

-

Total

11,776

Closed during reporting period

7,773

Carried over to next reporting period

4,003

2.2 Channels of informal requests

Source

Number of requests

Online

2,706

Email

778

Mail

26

In person

2

Phone

0

Fax

3

Total

3,515

2.3 Completion time of informal requests

Completion time

0 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

1,397

418

787

665

66

41

4,399

7,773

2.4 Pages released informally

Less than 100 pages released

100 to 500 pages released

501 to 1,000 pages released

1,001 to 5,000 pages released

More than 5,000 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

4,707

94,363

290

55,978

27

19,868

39

78,055

5

75,836

2.5 Pages re-released informally

Less than 100 pages released

100 to 500 pages released

501 to 1,000 pages released

1,001 to 5,000 pages released

More than 5,000 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

852

34,296

974

247,927

402

289,315

430

763,582

47

443,646

Section 3: Applications to the Information Commissioner on declining to act on requests

Number of requests

Outstanding from previous reporting period

0

Sent during reporting period

0

Total

0

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

0

Section 4: Requests closed during the reporting period

4.1 Disposition and completion time

Disposition of requests

Completion time

0 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

30

130

141

527

207

91

86

1,212

Disclosed in part

35

165

232

1,246

721

379

244

3,022

All exempted

0

2

3

1

1

1

2

10

All excluded

107

18

7

4

0

2

5

143

No records exist

222

83

26

12

3

4

6

356

Request transferred

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Request abandoned

384

14

7

10

3

1

36

455

Neither confirmed nor denied

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

Total

778

412

416

1,800

935

478

379

5,198

4.2 Exemptions

Section

Number of requests

13(1)(a)

209

13(1)(b)

102

13(1)(c)

24

13(1)(d)

17

13(1)(e)

1

14

2

14(a)

0

14(b)

0

15(1)

203

15(1) - International Affairs

4

15(1) - Defence of Canada

25

13(1) - Subversive Activities

0

16(1)(a)(i)

0

16(1)(a)(ii)

0

16(1)(a)(iii)

1

16(1)(b)

13

16(1)(c)

27

16(1)(d)

0

16(2)

10

16(2)(a)

1

16(2)(b)

1

16(2)(c)

6

16(3)

0

16.1(1)(a)

0

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

0

16.6

0

17

48

18(a)

1

18(b)

1

18(c)

0

18(d)

1

18.1(1)(a)

0

18.1(1)(b)

0

18.1(1)(c)

0

18.1(1)(d)

0

19(1)

2,805

20(1)(a)

2

20(1)(b)

22

20(1)(b.1)

0

20(1)(c)

7

20(1)(d)

3

20.1

1

20.2

0

20.4

0

21(1)(a)

4

21(1)(b)

5

21(1)(c)

1

21(1)(d)

2

22

0

22.1(1)

0

23

124

23.1

0

24(1)

234

26

4

4.3 Exclusions

Section

Number of requests

68(a)

152

68(b)

0

68(c)

4

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)

1

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

Paper

Electronic record

Electronic data set

Video

Audio

Other

702

3,532

0

0

0

0

4.5 Complexity

4.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed for paper, e-record and dataset formats

Number of pages processed

Number of pages disclosed

Number of requests

1,336,755

1,258,158

4,842

4.5.2 Relevant pages processed per request disposition for paper, e-record and dataset formats by size of requests

Disposition

Less than 100 pages processed

101 to 500 pages processed

501 to 1,000
pages processed

1,001 to 5,000 pages processed

More than 5,000 pages processed

Number of requests

Pages processed

Number of requests

Pages processed

Number of requests

Pages processed

Number of requests

Pages processed

Number of requests

Pages processed

All disclosed

785

28,851

370

64,982

30

19,277

27

45,138

0

0

Disclosed in part

802

34,712

1,632

354,931

298

221,602

279

455,646

11

95,120

All exempted

0

0

2

458

8

4,240

0

0

0

0

All excluded

140

110

2

654

0

0

1

1,028

0

0

Request abandoned

441

60

6

1,793

4

2,947

4

5,206

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

2,168

63,733

2,012

422,818

340

248,066

311

507,018

11

95,120

4.5.3 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

Disposition

Less than 60 minutes processed

60 to 120 minutes processed

More than 120 minutes processed

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

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

Disposition

Less than 60 minutes processed

60 to 120 minutes processed

More than 120 minutes processed

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

Disposition

Consultation required

Legal advice sought

Other

Total

All disclosed

9

0

17

26

Disclosed in part

138

0

43

181

All exempted

4

1

0

5

All excluded

0

0

0

0

Request abandoned

10

0

1

11

Neither confirmed nor denied

0

0

0

0

Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner

0

0

0

0

Total

161

1

61

223

4.6 Closed requests

4.6.1 Number of requests closed within legislated timelines

Requests closed within legislated timelines

Number of requests closed within legislated timelines

3,284

Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines

63.17814544

4.7 Deemed refusals

4.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines

Number of requests closed past the legislated timelines

Principal reason

Interference with operations or workload

External consultation

Internal consultation

Other

1,914

1,816

98

0

0

4.7.2 Request closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extensions taken)

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 day to 15 days

18

422

440

16 to 30 days

16

230

246

31 to 60 days

14

226

240

61 to 120 days

27

433

460

121 to 180 days

19

117

136

181 to 365 days

11

79

90

More than 365 days

224

78

302

Total

329

1,585

1,914

4.8 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 Reason 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

951

0

37

0

Disclosed in part

2,609

0

218

1

All exempted

6

0

3

0

All excluded

9

0

0

0

Request abandoned

33

0

15

0

No records exist

44

0

1

0

Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner

0

0

0

0

Total

3,652

0

274

1

5.2 Length of extensions

Length of extensions

9(1)(a) Interference with operations/workload

9(1)(b) Consultation

9(1)(c) third-party notice

Section 69

Other

30 days or less

90

0

7

1

31 to 60 days

1,399

0

25

0

61 to 120 days

2,089

0

45

0

121 to 180 days

34

0

101

0

181 to 365 days

26

0

69

0

365 days or more

14

0

27

0

Total

3,652

0

274

1

Section 6: Fees

Fee type

Fee collected

Fee waived

Fee refunded

Number of requests

Amount

Number of Requests

Amount

Number of Requests

Amount

Application

4,862

$24,310.00

92

$460.00

124

$620.00

Other fees

0

$0.00

0

$0.00

0

$0.00

Total

4,862

$24,310.00

92

$460.00

124

$620.00

Section 7: Consultations received from other institutions and organizations

7.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations

Consultations

Other Government of Canada institutions

Number of pages to review

Other organizations

Number of pages to review

Received during the reporting period

12

342

0

0

Outstanding from the previous reporting period

0

0

0

0

Total

12

342

0

0

Closed during the reporting period

9

298

0

0

Carried over within negotiated timelines

3

44

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

Number of days required to complete consultation requests

1 day 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

6

1

0

0

0

0

0

7

Disclose in part

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

2

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

7

2

0

0

0

0

0

9

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

Recommendations

Number of days required to complete consultation requests

1 day 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

Number of days

Fewer than 100 pages processed

101 to 500 pages processed

501 to 1,000 pages processed

1,001 to 5,000 pages processed

More than 5,000 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

More than 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 the Privy Council Office

Number of days

Fewer than 100 pages processed

101 to 500 pages processed

501 to 1,000 pages processed

1,001 to 5,000 pages processed

More than 5,000 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

More than 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

Section 32 notice of intention to investigate

Subsection 30(5) ceased to investigate

Section 35 formal representations

168

107

122

9.2 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

53

0

53

88

1

53

Section 10: Court action

10.1 Court actions on complaints

Section 41

Complainant (1)

Institution (2)

Third party (3)

Privacy Commissioner (4)

Total

1

8

0

0

9

10.2 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

Expenditures

Amount

Salaries

$19,486,604

Overtime

$57,371

Goods and services

$2,791,370

  • Professional services contracts

$899,823

  • Other

$1,891,547

Total

$22,335,345

11.2 Human resources

Resources

Person years dedicated to access to information activities

Full-time employees

141.333

Part-time and casual employees

79.888

Regional staff

3.716

Consultants and agency personnel

0.000

Students

7.706

Total

232.643

Appendix C: Supplemental Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act

Name of institution: Library and Archives Canada

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-03-31

Section 1: Open requests and complaints under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Enter the number of open requests that are outstanding from previous reporting periods

Fiscal year open requests were received

Open requests within legislated timeline as of March 31, 2025

Open requests beyond legislated timeline as of March 31, 2025

Total

2024–2025

1,559

137

1,696

2023–2024

45

94

139

2022–2023

24

239

263

2021–2022

0

370

370

2020–2021

0

334

334

2019–2020

1

413

414

2018–2019

1

89

90

2017–2018

1

89

90

2016–2017

0

22

22

2015–2016 or earlier

0

8

8

Total

1,631

1,795

3,426

1.2 Enter the number of open complaints with the Information Commissioner of Canada that are outstanding from previous reporting periods

Fiscal year open complaints were received by institution

Number of open complaints

2024–2025

71

2023–2024

29

2022–2023

13

2021–2022

3

2020–2021

1

2019–2020

5

2018–2019

0

2017–2018

0

2016–2017

0

2015–2016 or earlier

1

Total

123

Section 2: Open requests and complaints under the Privacy Act

2.1 Enter the number of open requests that are outstanding from previous reporting periods

Fiscal year open requests were received

Open requests within legislated timeline as of March 31, 2025

Open requests beyond legislated timeline as of March 31, 2025

Total

2024–2025

497

76

573

2023–2024

1

1

2

2022–2023

0

5

5

2021–2022

0

5

5

2020–2021

0

0

0

2019–2020

0

0

0

2018–2019

0

0

0

2017–2018

0

0

0

2016–2017

0

0

0

2015–2016 or earlier

0

0

0

Total

498

87

585

2.2 Enter the number of open complaints with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada that are outstanding from previous reporting periods

Fiscal year open complaints were received by institution

Number of open complaints

2024–2025

0

2023–2024

0

2022–2023

0

2021–2022

0

2020–2021

0

2019–2020

0

2018–2019

0

2017–2018

0

2016–2017

0

2015–2016 or earlier

0

Total

0

Section 3: Social Insurance Number

Has your institution begun a new collection or a new consistent use of the SIN in 2024-25?

No

Section 4: Universal access under the Privacy Act

How many requests were received from confirmed foreign nationals outside of Canada in 2024–2025?

61

Page details

2025-11-05