2021-2022 Annual Report to Parliament on the Access to Information Act

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Introduction

The Privy Council Office (PCO) reports directly to the Prime Minister and is headed by the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet. PCO is both the Cabinet secretariat and the Prime Minister’s source of public service advice across the entire spectrum of policy questions and operational issues facing the Government. As the hub of non-partisan, public service support to the Prime Minister, Cabinet and its decision making structures, PCO ensures that the Government and Canadians are served by the highest quality public service.

PCO also provides support to the Prime Minister, as well as to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness.

PCO’s three main roles are to:

1. Provide professional non-partisan advice to the Prime Minister, portfolio ministers, Cabinet and Cabinet committees on matters of national and international importance.
2. Ensure that the Cabinet decision-making process runs smoothly and help implement the Government’s agenda.
3. Foster a high-performing and accountable Public Service.

This is the 39th Annual Report to Parliamenton the administration of the Access to Information Act (ATIA) by PCO, submitted as required by section 94 of the ATIA and section 20 of the Service Fees Act. This report covers the reporting period of April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Additional copies of this report may be obtained by contacting:

• Access to Information and Privacy Division
  Privy Council Office
  11 Metcalfe Street
  Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3

Highlights

In the 2021-2022 reporting period, PCO received 509 requests and closed 532 requests, compared to 616 requests received and 332 requests closed in 2020-2021.

In 2021-2022, 70,777 relevant pages were processed, which represents a 64.8% increase in the pages reviewed from last year and a 37% decrease in the amount reviewed in 2019-2020. The page volume does not account for proactive disclosure of briefing note titles, transition material, Question Period cards and committee binders.

Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) division – organizational structure

The ATIP division within PCO is responsible for managing requests for departmental or personal information, ensuring corporate understanding and compliance with the ATIA and the Privacy Act (PA), and fostering corporate awareness of access and privacy rights and responsibilities. On matters of access and privacy, the ATIP division also acts as a primary liaison with the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC), the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC), the Access to Information Policy and Performance Division (AIPPD) of Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), and partner departments.

The ATIP division has a personnel complement of approximately 28.7 full-time equivalents (FTEs) that are organized into two areas of responsibility. The two areas of responsibility are as follows:

1. ATIP Operations (22.7 FTEs)
   • Processes ATIP requests;
   • Oversees the collection and release of personal and/or business information;
   • Provides expertise in ATIP policy;
   • Researches trends and best practices in ATIP;
   • Develops and delivers ATIP training programs; and
   • Proactively discloses and publishes briefing note titles, transition material, Question Period cards and committee binders.
2. Client Services (6 FTEs)
   • Coordinates training and prepares promotional products;
   • Processes responses to parliamentary questions and petitions on behalf of PCO; and
   • Provides database administration.

Of the personnel complement of 28.7 FTEs in 2021-2022, approximately 27.7 FTEs were dedicated to activities related to the administration of the Access to Information Act and 1 FTE was dedicated to activities related to the administration of the Privacy Act.

Monitoring compliance

In order to meet the legislative deadlines for access to information requests, the timelines of individual requests are strictly monitored. Regular meetings and various reports are used to ensure all requests are on track to meet the deadlines. Given our delegation orders (described in the next section), the ATIP division works very closely with our Offices of Primary Interest (OPIs) to ensure tasking and signoff timelines are respected.

Privy Council Office delegation orders

The Minister heading each government institution is responsible for the implementation of the ATIA within his or her institution. The Prime Minister, as the Head of the Privy Council Office and pursuant to s.95(1) of the ATIA, is responsible for the implementation of the ATIA within PCO. Through the PCO delegation order, the Prime Minister has designated the Executive Director, ATIP, as the individual within PCO to perform the powers, duties, functions, or administrative tasks pertaining to the ATIA. PCO Secretariats, or OPIs, holders of the information identified in an access request, approve the release of information to requesters and the application of exemptions or exclusions and supporting rationales. This shared delegation of authority for the disposition of information is exercised diligently within PCO, and recorded formally at appropriate stages in the process. PCO delegation orders, which were in effect in 2021-2022, are found at Appendix A.

Activities and accomplishments

Since the 2006-2007 fiscal year, PCO has steadily improved its performance. While the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact PCO’s access to information operations in 2021-2022, PCO is committed to getting back on track and responding to requests on time.

Summary of key issues and actions taken on complaints or audits

PCO collaborates regularly with the OIC with the intended purpose of resolving complaints in a timely manner. The ATIP division continued to make progress on complaints while balancing workloads to allow consistent progress on active requests and meet legislated due dates. PCO is dedicated to reducing the number of active complaints.

Education and training activities

Within the ATIP division, meetings are held on a weekly basis to ensure all requests meet the legislated due dates, as well as to review legislated extensions and discuss any new processes. PCO provides information on ATIP requirements and best practices through learning products, special events at the branch and/or the departmental level, as well as on the intranet.

In 2021-2022, PCO provided ATIP training or awareness sessions to approximately 69 employees through five training events during the reporting period. These sessions consisted of an overview of ATIP to internal secretariats to deliver insight on the ATIP process, information management, and the application of exemptions.

PCO senior officials were provided with a summary of the access and privacy statistics on performance and compliance to promote understanding of access and privacy responsibilities. The Executive Director of ATIP maintained regular contact with senior staff in the department, and ATIP senior staff met with senior officials in PCO Secretariats to clarify their roles and enhance working relationships. Throughout the 2021-2022 reporting period, ATIP analysts liaised with clients to explain the five-stage request timeline and their role, as well as to provide training on processes such as the search for records.

PCO personnel have access to key information on access and privacy. This information is readily available as instructional ATIP handouts, an email box for questions, takeaway learning tools, as well as comprehensive and educational electronic content on PCO’s intranet.

Information-related to policies, guidelines, procedures and to initiatives

a) Posting of completed access to information requests

As part of the Open Government Initiative, PCO provides monthly summaries of completed access to information requests online. This information includes a summary of the request text, the year and month the request was completed, the disposition, and the number of pages disclosed. Summaries are available from October 2020 onward with direct links for requesting a copy of records. The public can also submit informal requests for completed files by mail or via the generic email on the PCO website. Records are provided in the form that they were released under the ATIA including format, language(s) and any exemptions or exclusions that were applied.

As reported in the Statistical Report, PCO released a total of 323 previously released ATI packages informally between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

b) Transitioning to an electronic office

As part of the Beyond 2020 plan, which advocates for green government operations, PCO began the process of transforming into a paperless office in 2016-2017, by introducing electronic tasking and notification of releases. These two processes alone have proven to be very successful and have greatly reduced the number of pages printed on a daily basis. In 2018-2019, PCO was part of the first wave of institutions brought on by TBS to accept requests through the online portal.

Towards the end of 2019-2020, the ATIP division officially became a paperless office; with help from the PCO Information Technology directorate, the ATIP division initiated electronic processes for record retrieval, consultations with other institutions, internal approvals and final responses. PCO ATIP division continues to work as a paperless office.

Other activities

a) Reading room

In compliance with subsection 12(1) of the ATIA, the ATIP division also provides a reading room where the public may examine requested departmental records, manuals, and publications related to access to information. The reading room is located on the first floor of the Hope Building at 63 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario. This secure location allows for an appropriate separation from office activities and provides requesters with a suitable environment to review documents. ATIP analysts can reserve the space in advance to ensure that it is available to requesters. In 2021-2022, no individual made use of this means of access to information.

b) Proactive disclosure

In compliance with mandatory proactive disclosure requirements for government organizations, the PCO website continued to make available information concerning PCO travel and hospitality expenses, reclassification of positions, contracts over $10,000, grant and contribution awards, briefing note titles for the Prime Minister, Ministers, and the Clerk of the Privy Council, transition material for Ministers and the Prime Minister, as well as committee binders.

Interpretation of the Statistical report

The 2021-2022 Statistical Report on the ATIA can be found at Appendix B.

Part 1 – Requests under the Access to Information Act (ATIA)

1.1 Requests

Between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, PCO received 509 requests for information under the ATIA. The number of requests has decreased from the previous year, but remains above the number of requests received in 2019-2020. The number of pages processed has Increased from the previous fiscal year, but remains below the number of pages processed in 2019-2020. As seen in the graphs below, the 532 requests closed during the reporting period consisted of 70,777 relevant pages processed, compared to 42,958 pages processed in 2020-2021 and 112,341 pages processed in 2019-2020.

A total of 483 requests were carried over to the 2022-2023 reporting period, while 506 requests were carried into 2021-2022 from the previous fiscal year.

1.2 Sources of requests

The sources of access to information requests, in descending order by volume, were media, public, organization, academia and business. The breakdown of the requests received during 2021-2022 is as follows:

• 211 or 41.5% – media;
• 122 or 24% – public;
• 80 or 15.7% – organization, including from Parliament (members of the House of Commons or Senate);
• 72 or 14.1% – academia; and
• 24 or 4.7% – business (private sector).

For this reporting period, the largest source of requests was the media at 41.5%, consistent with previous reporting periods. Media accounted for 1.5% less of the requests in 2021-2022 than in 2020-2021. The requests from academia increased by 1.9% at 14.1% of all requests while requests from organizations increased by 0.7%. The business sector, which includes law firms, saw a decrease from 83 requests in 2020-2021 to 24 in 2021-2022. Requests from the public increased by 7% in 2021-2022, accounting for 24% of all requests in 2021-2022, compared to 17% in 2020-2021.

1.3 Channels of requests

Of the 509 requests received in 2021-2022, the majority of requests submitted were through PCO’s electronic portal. PCO received 429 online requests, accounting for 84.3% of the total number of requests. Emailed requests amounted to 14.3% of the total number of requests, while mailed requests corresponded to 1.4% of the requests for the reporting period.

Part 2 – Informal requests

Informal requests are not made or processed under the Act and have no deadline for responding. In alignment with the Open Government Initiative, PCO posts the summaries of completed access requests online on a monthly basis. These summaries allow requesters to access previously processed requests and are intended to eliminate barriers such as lengthy extensions, request fees, and allows for a more timely response.

2.1 Number of informal requests

Between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, PCO received 352 informal requests. The number of informal requests increased by 23.5% from the 285 requests received in 2020-2021. In addition to the requests received, 81 requests carried over from the previous reporting period, while two (2) requests carried over from more than one reporting period. In 2021-2022, PCO ATIP closed 323 informal requests compared to 229 informal requests closed in 2020-2021. The remaining 112 requests have carried over into 2022-2023.

2.2 Channels of informal requests

Of the 352 requests received in 2021-2022, the majority of informal requests submitted were through PCO’s electronic portal. PCO received 345 online informal requests, accounting for 98% of the total number of requests. Emailed informal requests accounted for 2% of the total number of requests submitted for the reporting period.

2.3 Completion time of informal requests

Of the informal requests that closed in the fiscal year, 13 requests were completed in 1 to 15 days, representing 4% of all requests. Four (4) percent of requests were completed between 16 to 30 days, compared to 14.4% of requests in the previous reporting period. Another 18.6% of the requests were completed between 31 to 60 days in 2021-2022, compared to 28% of requests in 2020-2021. Ninety (90) requests were completed between 61 to 120 days, accounting for 27.9% of the requests closed in 2021-2022. The number of requests closed between 121 to 180 days increased to 26.9% compared to 4.8% in 2020-2021. Forty-eight (48) informal requests were closed between 181 to 365 days. The remaining 3.7% of PCO’s informal requests took more than 365 days to close in 2021-2022, compared to zero percent in the previous reporting period.

2.4 Pages released informally

PCO did not release any pages informally between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

2.5 Pages re-released informally

In 2021-2022, ATIP division completed 323 informal requests and re-released 68,736 pages. The breakdown for the number of requests processed where pages were re-released is as follows:

• 214 (66.3%) contained less than 100 pages;
• 85 (26.3%) contained between 100-500 pages;
• 9 (2.8%) contained between 501-1000 pages;
• 12 (3.7%) contained between 1001-5000 pages; and
• 3 (0.9%) contained greater than 5000 pages.

Part 3 – Applications to the Information Commissioner on declining to act on requests

During the 2021-2022 reporting period, PCO ATIP made no applications and did not decline to act on an access request under the Access to Information Act that was found vexatious, made in bad faith or an abuse of the right of access.

Part 4 – Requests closed during the reporting period

4.1 Disposition and completion time

In 2021-2022, ATIP division completed 532 requests. The breakdown of the disposition of requests is as follows:

• 309 (58.1%) were disclosed in part;
• 112 (21.1%) yielded no records;
• 76 (14.3%) were abandoned;
• 25 (4.7%) were all disclosed;
• 4 (0.7%) were all exempted;
• 4 (0.7%) were all excluded;
• 2 (0.4%) were transferred;
• 0 (0%) were neither confirmed nor denied; and
• 0 (0%) were declined with the approval of the Information Commissioner.

As these figures demonstrate, 334 or 62.8% of all requests were fully or partially disclosed. The percentage of requests for which no records were disclosed (either exempted or excluded) decreased by 0.6% to 1.5% of requests completed in 2021-2022. Approximately 21.1% of requests in 2021-2022 did not produce responsive records, which is a decrease from 33.1% in 2020-2021. Two (2) requests were transferred from PCO to another institution in 2021-2022. A greater proportion of requests were abandoned in 2021-2022, up to 21.1% compared to 6.9% of requests in 2020-2021.

Factors such as external consultations with other government departments and third parties as well as the complex, sensitive and multi-jurisdictional nature of PCO records impact the time required to complete requests. As such, the breakdown of completion times for requests is as follows:

• 198 (37.2%) of requests were completed within 30 days;
• 60 (11.3%) of requests were completed between 31 to 60 days;
• 55 (10.3%) of requests were completed between 61 to 120 days;
• 50 (9.4%) of requests were completed between 121 to 180 days;
• 75 (14.1%) of requests were completed between 181 to 365 days; and
• 94 (17.7%) of all requests were completed in more than 365 days.

4.2 Exemptions

While PCO endeavours to release as much information as possible, there are instances where information is protected under the ATIA.

Totals for the seven (7) most commonly used exemptions were, in order:

• 246 under subsection 19(1) – personal information;
• 131 under subsection 15(1) – information related to international affairs and defence of Canada;
• 129 under paragraph 21(1)(b) – consultations or deliberations related to operations of government;
• 123 under subsection 16(2) – information related to the security of facilities, computer systems, and communications systems;
• 120 under paragraph 21(1)(a) – information related to advice or recommendations developed by or for a government institution or a minister of the Crown; and
• 64 under section 14 – federal-provincial affairs.
• 64 under section 23 – Solicitor-client privilege

The use of these exemptions is consistent with the role of PCO and the content of the records it controls, both of which involve confidential consultations, deliberations and advice provided to the Government on issues of national and international scope.

4.3 Exclusions

The ATIA does not apply to certain information described by section 68 of the ATIA (published material) or to confidences of the Queen’s Privy Council pursuant to section 69. The application of exclusions under subsection 69(1) reflects the role of PCO in providing advice and information to the Prime Minister as well as to Cabinet and its decision-making structures.

Totals for the six (6) most commonly used exclusions were, in order:

• 64 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (a) – information relating to memoranda to Council;
• 59 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (c) – information relating to the agenda or deliberations of Council;
• 35 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (e) – information relating to briefings for Council;
• 32 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (d) – information relating to communications between Ministers;
• 22 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (f) – information relating to draft legislation; and
• 20 under section 69(1)(e) - briefings for Council.

4.4 Format of information released

Of the requests for which records existed and were disclosed in whole or in part, 319 requests were released in electronic form. Another 15 requests were released on paper, up from four (4) in 2020-2021. Requesters have the option of receiving the response by mail or by picking it up in person. In 2020-2021, PCO added the option for the response to be sent to the requester by email, if the size of the request allows. The majority of replies were sent to the requester by email in 2021-2022.

4.5 Complexity

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

A total of 70,777 relevant pages were processed in 2021-2022. For requests which were “all disclosed” or “disclosed in part”, 44,667 pages were disclosed.

In compliance with changes made to the ATIA in 2019-2020, PCO now proactively discloses briefing note titles, transition material for the Prime Minister and Ministers, reference numbers of memoranda received by Ministers, Deputy Heads, and committee binders which are not captured in the relevant pages processed but require a significant amount of resources.

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

PCO responded to 418 requests in 2021-2022. The breakdown of the number of requests processed by disposition and by number of pages processed is as follows:

• 314 (75.1%) contained less than 100 pages:
  • 15 (4.7%) were all disclosed;
  • 216 (68.8%) were partially disclosed;
  • 4 (1.3%) were all exempted;
  • 4 (1.3%) were all excluded; and
  • 75 (23.9%) were abandoned.
• 76 (18.2%) contained between 100-500 pages:
  • 9 (11.8%) were all disclosed; and
  • 67 (88.2%) were partially disclosed.
• 15 (3.6%) contained between 501-1000 pages:
  • 1 (6.7%) was fully disclosed; and
  • 14 (93.3%) were partially disclosed.
• 11 (2.6%) contained between 1001 to 5000 pages:
  • 10 (90.9%) were partially disclosed; and
  • 1 (9.1%) was abandoned.
• 2 (0.5%) contained over 5000 pages.
  • All requests for this page range were disclosed in part.

Note that the number of pages processed is not an accurate gauge of the time required to process an access to information file. A request of many pages may involve basic records that require relatively little time to review, while small requests of a few pages could contain a complex combination of high-level content from several departments, requiring in-depth analysis and consultation.

4.5.3 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats

PCO did not process any relevant minutes for audio formats.

4.5.4 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests

PCO did not process any relevant minutes for audio formats.

4.5.5 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats

PCO did not process any relevant minutes for video formats.

4.5.6 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests

PCO did not process any relevant minutes for video formats.

4.5.7 Other complexities

Other complexities that impacted PCO’s ability to respond to requests include consultations and seeking legal advice. As an aggregator of information, PCO receives information from numerous sources, including other government departments and third parties. As a result, PCO needs to conduct consultations to obtain advice from subject matter experts in the originating institutions. One hundred and nine (109) of the 532 requests completed in 2021-2022 required consultations. Consultations often require extensions in order to complete requests within legislated timeframes. Of these requests, four were disclosed in full and 104 were disclosed in part.

Furthermore, a large volume of information under the control of PCO contains information subject to Cabinet confidences. Government institutions are required to consult legal services in all instances where information may qualify as a Cabinet confidence. PCO also consults legal services when records contain information that may be subject to solicitor-client privilege. Fifteen (15) requests required that PCO seek legal advice on the application of s. 23 (solicitor-client privilege). It is essential that PCO seek legal advice on the application of s. 23 in order to prevent any accidental disclosure of privileged information.

TBS requires that requests be counted only once. As a result, requests are divided into the categories that best apply to them. Several files required both consultations and seeking legal advice. Consequently, the total number of requests that fall in these categories may be greater than as presented.

4.6 Closed requests

4.6.1 Requests closed within legislated timelines

In this reporting period, 363 requests were closed within legislated timelines.

4.7 Deemed refusals

4.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines

In 2021-2022, 169 access to information requests were completed past the deadline, or in “deemed refusal”. Seven of these requests were not completed within the legislated timeline due to consultations. Four requests were completed past the deadline due to an Interference with operations/workload. The remaining 158 requests were not completed within the legislated timelines due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

In 2021-2022, 109 requests were closed past legislated timelines where no extension was taken and 60 requests were closed past legislated timelines where an extension was taken.

4.8 Requests for translation

Pursuant to subsection 12(2) of the ATIA, which states that “where access to a record or a part thereof is to be given under this Part and the person to whom access is to be given requests that access be given in a particular official language, a copy of the record or part thereof shall be given to the person in that language, (a) if the record or part thereof already exists under the control of a government institution in that language; or (b) within a reasonable period of time, if the head of the government institution that has the control of the record considers it to be in the public interest to cause a translation to be prepared”. No translations were requested during the reporting period.

Part 5 – Extensions

5.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests

Subsection 9(1) of the ATIA sets out circumstances under which the initial 30-day time limit for response may be extended. Extensions may be taken for the following reasons:

• if the request is for a large number of records or requires a search through a large number of records, and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the institution;
• if consultations are necessary with other government institutions, other governments or informally with third parties, and it cannot be completed within 30 days; or,
• if notice is to be given to a third party (pursuant to subsection 27(1)) of the pending release of information or trade secrets of that third party.

In 2021-2022, PCO took 352 extensions in total. One hundred and ninety-two (192) or 54.5% extensions were under paragraph 9(1)(a) for interference with operations due to the volume of records, versus 77 the previous year. Third-party notifications required 13 extensions under paragraph 9(1)(c), 2 more than the 11 extensions for the same reason for the previous fiscal year. 

Consultations were another significant driver of extensions during the reporting period. A total of 81 extensions for consultations on Confidences of the Queen’s Privy Council, and 66 extensions to consult other institutions (147 extensions combined) were taken under paragraph 9(1)(b). Extensions for consultations were up slightly from the 134 extensions taken in 2020-2021.

Consultations remain inherent to processing the often complex, interdepartmental records under the control of PCO. When PCO sends a consultation request to another federal institution, it first contacts the department to obtain an estimated response time.

These efforts provide requesters with a more accurate estimate of when they will receive a response. Contacting the institution being consulted to mutually determine how long the consultation will take is considered a best practice by the OIC.

5.2 Length of extensions

The majority of extensions taken during the 2021-2022 reporting period were for 30 days or less, accounting for 38.1% (134) of all extensions. The second most employed extension was 61 to 120 days, accounting for 26.1% (92) of all extensions. The 31 to 60 days timeframe was the third most used extension at 23% (81). Of the remaining extensions, 5.4% were taken for between 121 and 180 days, 4.8% were taken for 181 to 365 days and 2.6% for more than 365 days. Reporting requires that separate extensions are recorded under each column. These statistics can be considered representative of PCO's consultative requirements and the department’s heavy workload. PCO remains committed to the responsible use of extensions under the ATIA, consistent with operational demands.

Part 6 – Fees

In accordance with the Interim Directive on the Administration of the ATIA, issued on May 5, 2016, and the changes to the ATIA that came into force on June 21, 2019, PCO waives all fees prescribed by the Act and Regulations, other than the $5 application fee set out in paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Regulations.

The fees collected during the reporting period totaled at $2,180 on 436 requests, down from $2,790 in 2020-2021and $2,305 in 2019-2020. In 2021-2022, PCO waived or refunded 65 requests with an amount totaling $325.

Part 7 – Consultations received from other institutions and organizations

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

PCO received 345 consultations during the reporting period, including 328 consultations from Government of Canada institutions and 17 consultations from other organizations.

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

Consultations continue to account for a significant portion of the workload and make demands on both ATIP resources and on the PCO records authorities who provide consultative guidance.

In 2021-2022, PCO received 345 consultations and 102 consultations were carried over from the previous fiscal year.

PCO responded to 323 consultations from other government of Canada institutions. Of these consultations, 51% were completed within 30 days or less, an increase from the 47% completed within 30 days in 2020-2021. Twenty-eight percent of consultations were completed between 31 to 60 days and fifteen percent between 61 to 120 days. Of the remaining requests, 3% were completed between 121 to 180 days, 1% completed between 181 to 365 days and 2% in greater than 365 days. Thirteen (13) requests from other government of Canada institutions were carried over with negotiated timelines, while 94 were carried over beyond the negotiated timeline.

7.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations

A total of fourteen consultation requests from third-party organizations were received by PCO during 2021-2022. Five were completed in 30 days or less, five were completed in 31 to 60 days, four were completed in 61 to 120 days, and one was carried forward into 2022-2023.

Part 8 – Completion time of consultations on Cabinet confidences

8.1 Requests with legal services

Note that in regard to ATIP, PCO consults only with the Privy Council Office Legal Services Sector (PCO LSS). Therefore, no data appears in the table entitled “Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences - Requests with Legal Services.”

8.2 Requests with Privy Council Office

ATIP consulted PCO LSS on 91 of the requests that were closed in the reporting period, up from 21 in 2020-2021.

This figure represents consultations where the request was completed in the reporting period, and excludes both active consultations and completed consultations in ongoing requests, which will be carried forward into the next reporting period.

Part 9 – Investigations and reports of finding

9.1 Investigations

In the 2021-2022 reporting period, 92 complaints were submitted to the OIC. These complaints were made on requests received in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, as well as previous fiscal years. This is an increase from the 64 complaints that were received in the 2020-2021 reporting period.

In the 2021-2022 reporting period, complaints related to a range of issues, including the exemptions invoked or exclusions cited on records, and extensions taken to complete consultations and meet PCO operational requirements.

9.2 Investigations and Reports of finding

PCO received no section 37(1) initial reports of finding or final reports in the 2021-2022 reporting period,

Part 10 – Court action

In 2021-2022, no court actions involving PCO were initiated by the OIC or were ongoing concerning the ATIA.

Part 11 – Resources related to the Access to Information Act

11.1 Allocated costs

Salary costs associated with administration of the ATIA were $2,071,613 for 2021-2022, a decrease from $2,200,213 in 2020-2021. Overtime costs totaled $57,232 for 2021-2022, which is an increase from $32,865 in 2020-2021. Goods and services amounted to $32,941. This amount is down from $55,432 from 2020-2021. Total costs were $2,161,786 down slightly from $2,288,510 in 2020-2021.

11.2 Human resources

It remains a challenge to attract and retain ATIP personnel, given the shortage of qualified analysts across the federal government. Currently, PCO uses various staffing methods to fill vacancies, including working with other departments to staff from pools of qualified candidates as well as running our own staffing processes. PCO offers a supportive work environment and growth opportunities for staff in an effort to retain qualified ATIP personnel. Moreover, the Professional Developmental Program launched in the 2017-2018 fiscal year boosts the retention of employees by encouraging them to learn and grow within the team, progressing from the PM-01 level to the PM-04 level. Coupled with the successful hiring of students, the program will contribute to the recruitment and professional development of qualified analysts within the ATIP team for years to come.

In 2021-2022, ATIP had a personnel complement of 28.7 FTEs. Of those, 27.7 FTEs were dedicated to activities related to the administration of the Access to Information Act, as shown in the chart above. This represents a slight increase in resources from the 26.5 FTEs of the previous year.

Part 12 – Impact of COVID-19

Since mid-March 2020, COVID-19 has affected ATIP’s ability to task secretariats for relevant information and to respond to requests in a timely manner. As described in the Supplemental Statistical Report (Appendix C), while PCO maintained its ability to receive requests throughout 2021-2022, PCO operated at a partial capacity when it comes to processing ATIP requests. Like most other institutions, a percentage of PCO employees have been working from home since the beginning of the pandemic. One of the main challenges with working remotely is dealing with classified information at the Secret level or above. Most employees working from home do not have access to secure networks. Consequently, ATIP encountered challenges with tasking secretariats for any information that is stored on a secure network. In addition, PCO is largely an aggregator of information; a great deal of the information we hold originates from, or is of interest to, other institutions. Despite the gradual return to the office across government, some government departments remain unable to process records above specific security classifications due to working remotely.

The ATIP division has adapted new procedures to transform into a more paperless office in order to function remotely. PCO implemented GCdocs in 2019 and we have used this repository to transfer and submit information electronically. This has allowed us to continue with approvals for files in the remote work environment, as security requirements allow.

Appendices

Appendix A: Delegation orders

Access to Information Act

The Prime Minister, as head of the Privy Council Office and pursuant to section 95(1) of the Access to Information Act^a, hereby designates the officers or employees holding the positions set out in the schedule hereto, and any persons acting in those positions, to exercise or perform the powers, duties and functions of the Prime Minister as the head of a government institution under the sections of the Act and the regulations opposite each position in the schedule.

This delegation order supercedes all previous delegation orders.

Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau

October 2, 2020

^a R.S. 1985, c. A-1

Schedule

Appendix B: 2021-2022 Statistical report on the Access to Information Act

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

Section 1 - Requests under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Number of requests

1.2 Sources of requests

1.3 Channels of requests

Section 2 - Informal requests

2.1 Number of informal requests

2.2 Channels of informal requests

2.3 Completion time of informal requests

2.4 Pages released informally

2.5 Pages re-released informally

Section 3 - Decline to act on vexatious, made in bad faith or abuse of rights requests

Section 4 - Requests closed during the reporting period

4.1 Disposition and completion time

4.2 Exemptions

4.3 Exclusions

4.4 Format of information released

4.5 Complexity

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

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

4.5.3 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats

4.5.4 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests

4.5.5 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats

4.5.6 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests

4.5.7 Other complexities

4.6 Closed requests

4.6.1 Number of requests closed within legislated timelines

4.7 Deemed refusals

4.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated deadline

4.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)

4.8 Requests for translation

Section 5 - Extensions

5.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of request

5.2 Length of extensions

Section 6 - Fees

Section 7 - Consultations received from other institutions and organizations

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

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

7.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations

Section 8 - Completion time of consultations on Cabinet Confidences

8.1 Requests with Legal Services

8.2 Requests with Privy Council Office

Section 9 - Investigations and reports of finding

9.1 Investigations

9.2 Investigations and reports of findings

Section 10 - Court action

10.1 Court actions on complaints

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

Section 11 - Resources related to the Access to Information Act

11.1 Allocated costs

11.2 Human resources

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

Name of institution: Privy Council Office

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

Section 1: Capacity to receive requests under Access to Information Act and Privacy Act

1.1 Enter the number of weeks your institution was able to receive ATIP requests through the different channels

Section 2: Capacity to process records under Access to Information Act and Privacy Act

2.1 Enter the number of weeks your institution was able to process paper records in different classification levels

2.2 Enter the number of weeks your institution was able to process electronic records in different classification levels

Section 3: Open requests and complaints under the Access to Information Act

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

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

Section 4: Open requests and complaints under the Privacy Act

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

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

Section 5: Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Appendix D: Exemptions and exclusions

Exemptions and exclusions

The total numbers of requests for which specific exemptions were invoked during the 2021-2022 reporting period are as follows:

• 8 under paragraph 13(1)(a) - information obtained in confidence from the government of a foreign state or institution;
• 1 under paragraph 13(1)(c) – information obtained in confidence from the government of a province or institution;
• 14 under section 14 – information related to federal-provincial affairs;
• 1 under subsection 14(a) - information on federal-provincial consultations or deliberations;
• 60 under subsection 15(1) – information related to international affairs;
• 6 under subparagraph 16(1)(a)(i) – information obtained on the detection, prevention or suppression of crime;
• 44 under subsection 16(2) – information related to security methods;
• 1 under paragraph 16(2)(c) - information which could facilitate the commission of a crime such as the vulnerability or methods employed to protect particular buildings, structures, or systems;
• 4 under paragraph 18(b) – information which could prejudice the competitive position of a government institution;
• 1 under paragraph 18(d) - information materially injurious to the financial interests of a government institution or to the economic interests of Canada;
• 137 under subsection 19(1) – personal information;
• 1 under paragraph 20(1)(a) – trade secrets of a third party;
• 8 under paragraph 20(1)(b) – financial, commercial, scientific or technical information supplied to a government institution in confidence by a third party;
• 18 under paragraph 20(1)(c) – information that could result in material financial loss or gain to a third party;
• 4 under paragraph 20(1)(d) – information which could interfere with the negotiations of a third party;
• 30 under paragraph 21(1)(a) – advice or recommendations developed by or for a government institution or minister;
• 45 under paragraph 21(1)(b) – consultations or deliberations related to operations of government;
• 6 under paragraph 21(1)(c) – positions or plans developed for negotiations by the Government of Canada;
• 12 under section 23 – information subject to solicitor-client privilege; and
• 9 under subsection 24(1) – information restricted by or pursuant to any provision set out in Schedule II of the ATIA.

Exemptions not invoked

The following exemptions were not invoked by PCO during the 2021-2022 reporting period:

• Paragraph 13(1)(b) – information obtained in confidence from an international organization of states or an institution;
• Paragraph 13(1)(d) – information obtained in confidence from a municipal or regional government;
• Paragraph 13(1)(e) – information obtained in confidence from an aboriginal government;
• Subsection 14(b) – information on strategy or tactics adopted or to be adopted by the Government of Canada relating to the conduct of federal-provincial affairs;
• Subsection 15(1) I.A. – information relating to communications and the conduct of international affairs;
• Subsection15(1) Def. – information related to communications and the defence of Canada;
• Subsection 15(1) S.A. – information that could compromise the prevention of subversive activities;
• Subparagraph 16(1)(a)(ii) – government records related to the enforcement of any law of Canada or a province;
• Subparagraph 16(1)(a)(iii) – government records related to activities suspected of constituting threats to the security of Canada;
• Paragraph 16(1)(b) – information relating to investigative techniques or plans for specific lawful investigations;
• Paragraph 16(1)(c) – information on the enforcement of any law of Canada or a province or the conduct of lawful investigations;
• Paragraph 16(1)(d) – information the disclosure of which could compromise the security of penal institutions;
• Paragraph 16(2)(a) – information which could facilitate the commission of a crime such as crime methods or techniques;
• Paragraph 16(2)(b) – information which could facilitate the commission of a crime such as technical information relating to weapons or potential weapons;
• Subsection 16(3) – policing services of the RCMP for the provinces and the municipalities;
• Paragraph 16.1(1)(a) – records related to investigations by the Auditor General of Canada;
• Paragraph 16.1(1)(b)- records related to investigations by the Commissioner of Official Languages for Canada;
• Paragraph 16.1(1)(c) - records related to investigations by the Information Commissioner;
• Paragraph 16.1(1)(d) – records related to investigations by the Privacy Commissioner;
• Subsection 16.2(1) – information related to an investigation conducted by or under the authority of the Commissioner of Lobbying;
• Section 16.3 – records related to investigations under the Canada Elections Act (Chief Electoral Officer);
• Section 16.31 – records related to investigations under the Canada Elections Act (Director of Public Prosecutions);
• Paragraph 16.4(1)(a) – records related to investigations under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act for the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner;
• Paragraph 16.4(1)(b) – records from a conciliator related to investigations under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act for the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner;
• Section 16.5 – records related to a disclosure under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act;
• Section 16.6 – records related to the National Security and Intelligence Committee;
• Section 17 – safety of individuals, including the identity of police informants and the victims of violence or acts of threats or intimidation;
• Paragraph 18(a) – trade secrets or financial, commercial, scientific or technical information that belongs to the Government of Canada;
• Paragraph 18(c) – scientific or technical information obtained through research by an officer or employee of a government institution;
• Paragraph 18.1(1)(a) – records related to the economic interests of the Canada Post Corporation;
• Paragraph 18.1(1)(b) – records related to the economic interests of Export Development Canada;
• Paragraph 18.1(1)(c) – records related to the economic interests of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board;
• Paragraph 18.1(1)(d) – records related to the economic interests of VIA Rail Canada Inc;
• Paragraph 20(1)(b.1) – third party information related to emergency management plans;
• Section 20.1 – third party investment information obtained by the Public Sector Pension Investment Board;
• Section 20.2 – third party investment information obtained by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board;
• Section 20.4 – performance contracts with the National Arts Centre Corporation;
• Section 22 – information relating to testing or auditing procedures or techniques; Subsection 22.1(1) – information containing a draft report of an internal audit of a government institution;
• Section 23.1 – records related to patents or trademark privilege; and
• Section 26 – records which will be published by a government institution within ninety days after the request is made.

Exclusions cited

The total numbers of requests for which specific exclusions were cited during the 2021-2022 reporting period are as follows:

• 1 under paragraph 68(a) – published material;
• 1 under subsection 69(1) – confidences of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada;
• 4 under paragraph 69(1)(a) – memoranda to Cabinet;
• 9 under paragraph 69(1)(c) – agenda and records of Cabinet deliberations;
• 2 under paragraph 69(1)(d) – records of communication between Ministers;
• 7 under paragraph 69(1)(e) – records used to brief ministers of the Crown;
• 2 under paragraph 69(1)(f) – draft legislation;
• 15 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (a) – records that contain information about records referred to in paragraph 69(1)(a);
• 16 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (c) – records that contain information about records referred to in paragraph 69(1)(c);
• 9 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (d) – records that contain information about records referred to in paragraph 69(1)(d);
• 12 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (e) – records that contain information about records referred to in paragraph 69(1)(e);
• 9 under paragraph 69(1)(g) re (f) – records that contain information about records referred to in paragraph 69(1)(f).

Exclusions not cited

The following exclusions were not cited by PCO during the 2021-2022 reporting period:

• Paragraph 68(b) – museum or library material;
• Paragraph 68(c) – material donated to Canadian museums or archives;
• Section 68.1 – journalistic, creative or programming records of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation;
• Paragraph 68.2(a) – administrative records of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Paragraph 68.2(b) – operational records of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Paragraph 69(1)(b) – discussion papers;
• Paragraph 69(1)(g) re (b) – records that contain information about records referred to in paragraph 69(1)(b);
• Subsection 69.1(1) – disclosure prohibited by a certificate under the Canada Evidence Act.