2018-2019 Report on the Administration of the Access to Information Act

Annual Reports on the Administration of the Access to Information Act
  • Veterans Review and Appeal Board
  • Annual Report to Parliament
  • April 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019

ISSN 2369-0674

 

Top of Page

 

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

 

On behalf of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, I am pleased to present the 2018-19 annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Access to Information Act.

This legislation gives Canadian citizens the right to access information in records held by the Government of Canada. It exists to protect the rights of individuals and to promote accountability and dialogue between citizens and their government.

In 2018-19, the Board’s Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Unit experienced a slight decrease in formal requests. Formal access requests declined to six from 12 in 2017-18, and formal privacy requests declined to 35 from 41 in 2017-18.

In 2018-19, the Board transitioned to a paperless process where hearing documentation is no longer mailed out to Members but instead available to them electronically. To analyze and mitigate any privacy risks, the ATIP Unit completed a Privacy Impact Assessment that was submitted to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in December 2018.

In November 2018, the Board signed on to the new ATIP Online Request Service (AORS). This service fulfills the Government of Canada’s commitment to create a simple central website where Canadians can make access to information and personal information requests to any government institution.

The Board’s ATIP Unit continues to make efforts to ensure staff are working with the importance of privacy at front of mind. In May 2018, the ATIP Unit launched its fifth annual Privacy Month that included a weekly email campaign and poster display. In January 2019, the Board celebrated Data Privacy Day to build awareness and highlight the impact of technology on privacy rights.

In 2018-19, the Board continued to provide applicants with an independent avenue of appeal for their disability benefits decisions. In fulfilling this mandate, we are committed to protecting individual rights and developing our capacity in matters of access to information and privacy.

Christopher J. McNeil
Chairperson

Top of Page

 

THE VETERANS REVIEW AND APPEAL BOARD

 

OUR OBJECTIVE

The Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB, the Board) is an independent, administrative tribunal created in 1995. The Board provides an appeal program for service-related disability decisions made by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC, the Department). This program gives applicants two levels of redress for disability benefits decisions and Critical Injury Benefit decisions. The Board also hears final appeals on War Veterans Allowance applications.

The Board’s objective is to ensure that Canada’s traditional Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans, Royal Canadian Mounted Police applicants, qualified civilians and their families receive the disability benefits to which they are entitled.

HOW WE WORK

The Board operates at arm’s-length from the Department to ensure a fair appeal process for applicants. Our work is governed by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act and delivered by up to 25 permanent Members appointed by the Governor in Council and approximately 70 staff in 2018-19. Our daily work involves conducting hearings in locations across Canada and issuing written decisions for applicants.

OUR HEARING PROGRAM

The Board provides applicants with two levels of redress: a review hearing and a subsequent appeal hearing if they remain dissatisfied. Our hearings are non-adversarial, which means no one argues against the Veteran. Applicants have access to free case preparation and representation at their hearing by the Bureau of Pensions Advocates (a unique organization of lawyers within VAC) or by Service Officers from Veterans’ organizations.

The review hearing is the first and only opportunity in the disability adjudication process for applicants to appear before the decision makers and tell their story (provide testimony). We hold review hearings in locations across Canada, where applicants give oral testimony, bring forward witnesses and new information, and present arguments in support of their case. If applicants are not satisfied with their review decision they can request an appeal hearing. The hearing is a further opportunity for applicants, through their representative, to submit new information and arguments. Appeal hearings are usually held at the Board’s Head Office in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

OUR COMMITMENT

The Board is committed to upholding the principles of the Access to Information Act while providing applicants with a fair and timely appeal process for disability benefits decisions.


Top of Page

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

The Access to Information Act gives Canadian citizens and individuals present in Canada a broad right of access to information contained in government records under control of the institution, subject to certain specific and limited exceptions. It maintains that government information should be available to the public and should complement and not replace existing procedures for access to government information.

Section 72 of the Access to Information Act requires that the head of every government institution prepare an Annual Report on the administration of the Act for submission to Parliament during each fiscal year.

MANDATE

The Veterans Review and Appeal Board has full and exclusive jurisdiction to hear, determine and deal with all applications for review and appeal that may be made to the Board under the Pension Act, the Veterans Well-being Act - Part 3, the War Veterans Allowance Act and other Acts of Parliament. All matters related to appeals under this legislation are authorized under the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act.

This Board also adjudicates duty related pension applications under the authority of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Continuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act.

Top of Page


FULFILLING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT

 

The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) office is under the Director, Strategic and Corporate Services, who acts on behalf of the Chairperson of the Board to oversee the administration of the Access to Information Act.

 

The ATIP office consists of a Coordinator, a Deputy Coordinator, a Senior ATIP Officer and an ATIP Coordination Officer.

The Board has full responsibility for the administration of the Access to Information Act.

Duties of the ATIP Coordinator’s Office include:

  • Process requests for information submitted under the Access to Information Act in accordance with the legislation, regulations and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) policies, guidelines and directives;
     
  • Provide VRAB managers and staff with advice and guidance regarding the interpretation and application of the Access to Information Act and related TBS policies, guidelines and directives;
     
  • Develop policies, procedures and guidelines for the administration of the Act and related TBS policies, guidelines and directives;
     
  • Coordinate the resolution of any complaints against VRAB made to the Information Commissioner under the Access to Information Act;
     
  • Respond to consultations from other government institutions on access to information requests.
     
  • Promote awareness to ensure employees understand their roles and responsibilities and the Board fulfills its obligations under the Act;
     
  • Respond to Parliamentary written questions on access to information;
     
  • Support VRAB’s commitment to openness and transparency through proactive disclosures, informal releases of information and publishing the summaries of completed access to information requests to the Open Government portal;
     
  • Review contracts with third parties using TBS guidance documents;
     
  • Update VRAB’s Information about Programs and Information Holdings (formerly known as Info Source) chapter on the VRAB web site in accordance with the TBS directive; and
     
  • Prepare the Annual report to Parliament and the annual Statistical Report on the administration of the Access to Information Act.

Top of Page


DELEGATION ORDER

 

In September 2018, the new Chair of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board delegated his authority for the purposes of the Act. A copy of the signed delegation instrument that took effect on September 17th, 2018 is included as Annex 1

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STATISTICAL REPORT

 

The Statistical report supports oversight, accountability and transparency by providing data on the performance of the Government of Canada ‘s access to information and privacy programs.

The following summary provides an overview of the Statistical Report (Annex 2) on the administration of the Access to Information Act for the reporting period of April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019.

Additionally, the application of three new exemptions (Annex 3) have been added to the Access to Information Act for the reporting period.

Top of Page


REQUESTS UNDER THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT

 

During the reporting period, VRAB received eight requests and closed six requests under the Access to Information Act. This represents a decrease of six requests completed (-50%) compared to last year’s total of 12 requests. The decrease may be attributed to the publication of all of the Board’s decisions on the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLii) website since 2015 and fewer transfers from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). Of the six requests completed, four were transfers from VAC. These transfers were requests submitted through the ATIP on-line request system from individuals filing requests for personal information under the Access to information Act instead of the Privacy Act.

 

Table 1 - Overview of ATI requests for last five years

 

 

Of the eight requests received, five were from the public, one was from the media and two declined to identify.

During the reporting period, VRAB processed one informal request for information. The decline of informal requests over the last two years may be attributed to the low number of formal requests posted to open government.

Table 2 - Overview of Informal ATI requests for last four years

 

 

Top of Page

 

 

REQUESTS CLOSED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD

DISPOSITION AND COMPLETION TIME

The following table illustrates the disposition of the six requests that were completed in 2018-19 with information disclosed in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

Table 3 - Disposition of Requests Closed

 

 

All six requests were completed within 16 to 30 days.

Top of Page

 

EXEMPTIONS

An exemption is a provision under the Access to Information Act that authorizes the head of the institution or delegate to refuse to disclose records in response to an access request. Exemptions should always be limited and specific.

The following table identifies the number of requests to which specific types of exemptions were applied:

Exemptions cited 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Subsection 19(1) personal information 1 6 1
Paragraph 21(1)(a) operations of government–advice 0 1 1
Paragraph 21(1)(b) operations of government – consultations or deliberations 0 0 1
Section 22 testing procedures, tests & audits 1 3 0

Top of Page

 

EXCLUSIONS

 

Pursuant to sections 68 and 69 of the Access to Information Act, the Act does not apply to:

  • published material,
  • material available for purchase by the public,
  • material placed in the Library and Archives of Canada or
  • confidences of the Queen’s Privy Council.

During the reporting period VRAB did not invoke section 68 or 69.

Top of Page

 

FORMAT OF INFORMATION RELEASED

 

For requests where information is disclosed, the requester has the right to ask for the information in the format of choice. In the two requests that were disclosed in part, the information was provided electronically. In the two requests that were all disclosed, the information was provided on CD for one request and paper for one request.

Top of Page

 

COMPLEXITY

 

During the reporting period, the ATIP office processed and disclosed a total of 469 pages. This represents a decrease of 18,684 pages processed compared to last year’s total of 19,153 pages processed. This significant decrease in numbers can be attributed to the type of requested information. The large numbers from 2017-18 were attributed to one very large access request which involved depersonalizing close to 4,000 decisions.

The following table provides an overview of relevant pages processed and disclosed over the last four years:

Fiscal Year Number of pages processed Number of pages disclosed Number of requests
2015-16 1,917 1,902 13
2016-17 14 14 3
2017-18 19,153 19,138 11
2018-19 469 469 4

The other complexities associated with the treatment of requests consisted of a consultation with another institution for one request and legal advice sought in one request.

Top of Page

 

DEEMED REFUSALS

 

Deemed refusal is when a government institution fails to give access to a record requested under the Act within the time limits set out in the Act. During the reporting period, VRAB met all statutory deadlines on requests.

Top of Page

 

REQUESTS FOR TRANSLATION

 

In 2018-19, VRAB did not receive any requests for translation. This is similar to the previous fiscal year where no requests requiring translation were received.

Top of Page


EXTENSIONS

 

Section 9 of the Access to Information Act allows institutions to extend the original 30 day statutory time limit if:

 

  • the request is for a large number of records and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the Board’s operations,
  • consultations are necessary, or
  • third-party notification

VRAB did not invoke any extensions in 2018-19.

Top of Page

 

CONSULTATIONS RECEIVED FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

 

In 2018-19, VRAB did not receive any consultations from other institutions or organizations. This is contrary to the previous two years of reporting.

 

  • 2017-18: 6
  • 2016-17: 3

This decline in consultations may be attributed to the increase in Notification of Release or Courtesy Notices being issued by institutions.

Top of Page

 


 

COMPLETION TIME OF CONSULTATIONS ON CABINET CONFIDENCES

 

In 2018-19, VRAB had no consultations on Cabinet Confidences, therefore, there were no requests with legal services or the Privy Council Office for review and recommendation on the application of section 69 of the Access to Information Act.

 

Top of Page


 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION FEES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE SERVICE FEES ACT

 

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

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

  • Enabling authority: Access to Information Act
  • Fee amount: $5.00
  • Total revenue: $15.00
  • Fees waived: $25.00

In accordance with the Interim Directive on the Administration of the Access to Information Act, issued on May 5, 2016, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board 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.

  • Cost of operating the program: $53,087

Staff salaries accounted for $50,154, and other administrative costs (representing good and services) amounted to $2,933. VRAB dedicated 0.75 person years to ATI activities.

 

Top of Page


 

TRAINING AND AWARENESS

 

In 2018-19, the VRAB ATIP office held six ATIP training sessions for 18 new employees. Since its inaugural year in 2013-14, ATIP training has become a key orientation component for all new employees, whether they are indeterminate, term or casual. The training session deals with the appropriate use and protection of personal information, steps to take if a privacy breach occurs, duty to assist, Need to Know principle and employee obligations under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

May 2018 marked the fifth annual Privacy Month at the Board. Throughout the month posters were prominently displayed throughout the Board, and weekly e-mail tips and memoranda were sent to all staff. These were aimed at reminding all employees of best practices when handling information and covered topics such as:

  • Privacy and Protection of Client Information
  • ABCs of Protected Information
  • Clear Desk Practice
  • Need to Know Principle
  • Safe Disposal of Protected and Classified Information

These memos, posters, and e-mail tips foster a privacy culture at the Board and ensure continual awareness of employees’ roles and responsibilities when handling, protecting and disposing of information.

Data Privacy Day - The Board took the opportunity to build awareness and highlight the impact of technology on privacy rights.

Top of Page


POLICIES, GUIDELINES, PROCEDURES AND INITIATIVES

 

In November 2018, the Board implemented the new ATIP Online Request Service (AORS). This service fulfills the Government of Canada’s commitment to create a simple central website where Canadians can make access to information and personal information requests to any government institution.

Procedures were updated to reflect the new requirements under the Directive on Personal Information Requests and Correction of Personal Information that came into effect on October 1, 2018. With these new requirements institutions must:

  • provide a written explanation to a requester when it will take longer than 30 days to fulfill a request for personal information and
  • report on the number and reasons for extensions in the institution’s annual report to Parliament.

In support of the Government of Canada's commitment to transparency, openness and accessibility, the Board continued to post summaries of completed ATI requests to open.canada.ca

Top of Page


COMPLAINTS, AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS

 

During the reporting period, VRAB received two section 32 notices of intent to investigate from the Information Commissioner’s office concerning one request. The investigations involved alleged missing records and the application of exemptions. The rulings made by the Office of the Information Commissioner on both complaints were deemed not-well founded.

VRAB had no complaints in which the requester, the Information Commissioner, or a third party applied to the Federal Court for a review.

Top of Page


MONITORING COMPLIANCE

 

The VRAB ATIP office monitors all requests for information in Access Pro Case Management. This software allows for the inputting and tracking of requests. The Senior ATIP Officer monitors all requests received in the ATIP office and provides the Deputy Coordinator with a weekly status/progress report.

 

Top of Page


ANNEX 1 - DELEGATION ORDER

 

Delegation Order - Access to Information Act and Access to Information Regulations

The Chairperson, Veterans Review and Appeal Board, pursuant to section 73 of the Access to Information Act, hereby designates the persons holding the positions set out in the schedule hereto, or the persons occupying on an acting basis those positions, to exercise the powers, duties and functions of the Chairperson as the head of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, under the provisions of the Act and related regulations set out in the schedule opposite each position. This designation replaces all previous delegation orders.

Delegation of authority under the Access to Information Act
Provision Description Title of Position(s)
4(2.1) Responsibility of head of institution ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
ATIP Coordination Officer
7(a) Notice when access requested ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
ATIP Coordination Officer
7(b) Giving access to the record ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
8(1) Transfer of request ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
9 Extension of time limits ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
11(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) Additional fees ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
12(2)(b) Language of access ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
12(3)(b) Access in an alternative format ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
13 Exemption - Information obtained in confidence ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
14 Exemption - Federal-provincial affairs Director General
ATIP Coordinator
15 Exemption - International affairs and defence Director General
ATIP Coordinator
16 Exemption - Law enforcement and investigations ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
16.5 Exemption - Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act Director General
ATIP Coordinator
17 Exemption - Safety of Individuals ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
18 Exemption - Economic interests of Canada Director General
ATIP Coordinator
18.1 Exemption - Economic interest of certain government institutions Director General
ATIP Coordinator
19 Exemption - Personal Information ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
20 Exemption - Third party information ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
21 Exemption - Operations of government ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
22 Exemption - Testing procedures, tests and audits ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
22.1 Exemption - Internal audits ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
23 Exemption - Solictor-client privilege ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
24 Exemption - Statutory prohibitions ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
25 Severability ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
26 Refusal of access where information is to be published ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
27(1),(4) Third party notification ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
28(1)(b),(2),(4) Third party notification ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
29(1) Notice of decision to disclose ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
33 Notice to Information Commissioner of third party notification ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
35(2)(b) Right to make representations ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
37(1) Notice of actions to implement recommendations of Commissioner ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
37(4) Access to be given to complainant ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
43(1) Notice to third party of application to Federal Court for review ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
44(2) Notice to requester of application for review by third party ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
52(2)(b), 52(3) Special rules for hearings Director General
ATIP Coordinator
71(1) Facilities for inspection of manuals ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
72 Annual Report to Parliament ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Delegation of authority under the Access to Information Regulations
Provision Description Title of Position(s)
6(1) Transfer of request ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
7(2) Search and preparation fees ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
7(3) Production and programming fees ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Senior ATIP Officer
8 Providing access to record(s) ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
8.1 Limitations in respect of format ATIP Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator

Dated, at the city of Charlottetown, this seventeenth day of September, 2018

Christopher J McNeil
Chairperson, Veterans Review and Appeal Board

Top of Page

 


 

ANNEX 2 - STATISTICAL REPORT ON THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT

 

Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act

 

Name of institution: Veterans Review and Appeal Board

Reporting period: 2018/04/01 to 2019/03/31

PART 1: Requests under the Access to Information Act

 

1.1 Number of Requests
  Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 8
Outstanding from previous reporting period 0
Total 8
Closed during reporting period 6
Carried over to next reporting period 2

 

1.2 Sources of requests
Source Number of Requests
Media 1
Academia 0
Business (private sector) 0
Organization 0
Public 5
Decline to Identify 2
Total 8
1.3 Informal requests
Completion time
1 to 15
days
16 to 30
days
31 to 60
days
61 to 120
days
121 to 180
days
181 to 365
days
More than 365
days
Total
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Top of Page

 

PART 2: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period

 

 

2.1 Disposition and completion time
Disposition of Requests Completion Time
1 to 15 days 16 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 120 days 121 to 180 days 181 to 365 days More than 365 days Total
All disclosed 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
Disclosed in part 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
Request transferred 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 6

 

2.2 Exemptions
Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests
13(1)(a) 0 16(2) 0 18(a) 0 20.1 0
13(1)(b) 0 16(2)(a) 0 18(b) 0 20.2 0
13(1)(c) 0 16(2)(b) 0 18(c) 0 20.4 0
13(1)(d) 0 16(2)(c) 0 18(d) 0 21(1)(a) 1
13(1)(e) 0 16(3) 0 18.1(1)(a) 0 21(1)(b) 1
14 0 16.1(1)(a) 0 18.1(1)(b) 0 21(1)(c) 0
14(a) 0 16.1(1)(b) 0 18.1(1)(c) 0 21(1)(d) 0
14(b) 0 16.1(1)(c) 0 18.1(1)(d) 0 22 0
15(1) 0 16.1(1)(d) 0 19(1) 1 22.1(1) 0
15(1)-I.A.* 0 16.2(1) 0 20(1)(a) 0 23 0
15(1)-Def.* 0 16.3 0 20(1)(b) 0 24(1) 0
15(1)-S.A.* 0 16.4(1)(a) 0 20(1)(b.1) 0 26 0
16(1)(a)(i) 0 16.4(1)(b) 0 20(1)(c) 0    
16(1)(a)(ii) 0 16.5 0 20(1)(d) 0    
16(1)(a)(iii) 0 17 0        
16(1)(b) 0            
16(1)(c) 0            
16(1)(d) 0            

* I.A.: International Affairs   Def: Defence of Canada   S.A.:Subversive Activities

2.3 Exclusions
Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests Section Number of Requests
68(a) 0 69(1) 0 69(1)(g) re (a) 0
68(b) 0 69(1)(a) 0 69(1)(g) re (b) 0
68 (c) 0 69(1)(b) 0 69(1)(g) re (c) 0
68.1 0 69(1)(c) 0 69(1)(g) re (d) 0
68.2(a) 0 69(1)(d) 0 69(1)(g) re (e) 0
68.2(b) 0 69(1)(e) 0 69(1)(g) re (f) 0
    69(1)(f) 0 69.1(1) 0
2.4 Format of information released
Disposition Paper Electronic Other Formats
All disclosed 1 1 0
Disclosed in part 0 2 0
Total 1 3 0
2.5 Complexity
2.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed
Disposition of Requests Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Disclosed Number of Requests
All disclosed 469 469 2
Disclosed in part 9 9 2
All exempted 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0
2.5.2 Relevant pages processed and disclosed by size of requests
Disposition Less than 100
Pages
Processed
101-500
Pages
Processed
501-1000
Pages
Processed
1001-5000
Pages
Processed
More than 5000
Pages
Processed
Number of Requests Pages disclosed Number of Requests Pages disclosed Number of Requests Pages disclosed Number of Requests Pages disclosed Number of Requests Pages disclosed
All disclosed 0 0 2 469 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 2 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 9 2 469 0 0 0 0 0 0
2.5.3 Other complexities
Disposition Consultation Required Assessment of Fees Legal Advice Sought Other Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 1 0 1 0 2
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1 0 1 0 2
2.6 Deemed refusals
2.6.1 Reasons for not meeting statutory deadline
Number of Requests Closed Past the Statutory Deadline Principal Reason
Workload External Consultation Internal Consultation Other
0 0 0 0 0
2.6.2 Number of days past deadline
Number of Days Past Deadline Number of Requests
Past Deadline Where
No Extension Was
Taken
Number of Requests
Past Deadline Where
An Extension Was
Taken
Total
1 to 15 days 0 0 0
16 to 30 days 0 0 0
31 to 60 days 0 0 0
61 to 120 days 0 0 0
121 to 180 days 0 0 0
181 to 365 days 0 0 0
More than 365 days 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0
2.7 Requests for translation
Translation Requests Accepted Refused Total
English to French 0 0 0
French to English 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

Top of Page

 

PART 3: Extensions

 

 

3.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests
Disposition of Requests Where
an Extension Was Taken
9(1)(a)
Interference
with Operations
9(1)(b)
Consultation
9(1)(c)
Third-Party Notice
Section 69 Other
All disclosed 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0

 

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

Top of Page

 

PART 4: Fees

 

 

Fee Type Fee Collected Fee Waived or Refunded
Number of
Requests
Amount Number of
Requests
Amount
Application 3 $15 5 $25
Search 0 $0 0 $0
Production 0 $0 0 $0
Programming 0 $0 0 $0
Preparation 0 $0 0 $0
Alternative format 0 $0 0 $0
Reproduction 0 $0 0 $0
Total 3 $15 5 $25

 

Top of Page

 

PART 5: Consultations Received from Other Institutions and Organizations

 

 

5.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and organizations
Consultations Other
Government of
Canada
Institutions
Number of
Pages to
Review
Other
Organizations
Number of
Pages to
Review
Received during reporting period 0 0 0 0
Outstanding from the previous reporting period 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0
Closed during the reporting period 0 0 0 0
Pending at the end of the reporting period 0 0 0 0

 

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

Top of Page

 

PART 6: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences

 

 

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

 

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

Top of Page

 

PART 7: Complaints and Investigations

 

 

Section 32 Section 35 Section 37 Total
2 0 2 4

 

Top of Page

 

PART 8: Court Action

 

 

Section 41 Section 42 Section 44 Total
0 0 0 0

 

Top of Page

 

PART 9: Resources Related to the Access to Information Act

 

 

9.1 Costs
Expenditures Amount
Salaries $50,154
Overtime $0
Goods and Services $2,933
   ■ Professional services contracts $0  
   ■ Other $2,933  
Total $53,087

 

9.2 Human Resources
Resources Person Years
Dedicated to Access to
Information Activities
Full-time employees 0.75
Part-time and casual employees 0.00
Regional staff 0.00
Consultants and agency personnel 0.00
Students 0.00
Total 0.75

Top of Page


ANNEX 3 - NEW EXEMPTIONS FOR 2018-19

 

Access to Information Act
Section Number of Requests
16.31 Investigation under the Elections Act 0
16.6 National Security and Intelligence Committee 0
23.1 Patent or Trademark privilege 0

 

 

This publication can be made available upon request. For further information or to obtain additional copies please contact:

 

VRAB ATIP Coordinator’s Office
PO Box 9900
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
C1A 8V7

vrab.atip-aiprp.tacra@canada.ca

Visit our Web site at: www.vrab-tacra.gc.ca

In Canada and the United States
Call us toll-free at
1-800-450-8006 (English)
1-877-368-0859 (French)

From all other locations
Call us collect at
0-902-566-8751 (English)
0-902-566-8835 (French)