Access to
Information Act
Table of Contents
Sections 1 to 77
Schedule I - Government Institutions subject to the Act
Schedule II - Section 24,
Statutory Prohibitions
Extension Order, No. 1 to right of access
Regulations
Sections 3 and 8 of the Privacy Act
Index
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Access to Information Act:
Sections 1 to 77
SHORT TITLE - Section 1
PURPOSE OF ACT - Section 2
INTERPRETATION - Section 3
ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS - Sections 4 through 12
EXEMPTIONS - Sections 13 through 26
THIRD PARTY INTERVENTION - Sections 27 through 29
COMPLAINTS - Sections 30 and 31
INVESTIGATIONS - Sections 32 through 37
REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT - Sections 38 through 40
REVIEW BY THE FEDERAL COURT - Sections 41 through 53
OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER - Sections 54 through 66
OFFENCES - Sections 67 and 67.1
GENERAL - Sections 68 through 77
SHORT TITLE
1.- Short title
PURPOSE OF ACT
2.(1)- Purpose
2.(2)- Complementary procedures
INTERPRETATION
3.- Definitions
ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS
Right of Access
4.(1)- Right to access to records
4.(2)- Extension of right by order
4.(3)- Records produced from machine readable records
Information about Government
5.(1)- Publication on government institutions
5.(2)- Bulletin
5.(3)- Descriptions in publication and bulletins
5.(4)- Publication and bulletin to be made available
Request for Access
6.- Request for access to record
7.- Notice where access requested
8.(1)- Transfer of request
8.(2)- Deeming provision
8.(3)- Meaning of greater interest
9.(1)- Extension of time limits
9.(2)- Notice of extension to Information Commissioner
10.(1)- Where access is refused
10.(2)- Existence of a record not required to be disclosed
10.(3)- Deemed refusal to give access
11.(1)- Fees
11.(2)- Additional payment
11.(3)- Where a record is produced from a machine readable record
11.(4)- Deposit
11.(5)- Notice
11.(6)- Waiver
Access
12.(1)- Access to record
12.(2)- Language of access
12.(3)- Access to record in alternative format
EXEMPTIONS
Responsibilities of Government
13.(1)- Information obtained in confidence
13.(2)- Where disclosure authorized
14.- Federal- provincial affairs
15.(1)- International affairs and defence
15.(2)- Definitions
16.(1)- Law enforcement and investigations
16.(2)- Security
16.(3)- Policing services for provinces or municipalities
16.(4)- Definition of "investigation"
17.- Safety of individuals
18.- Economic interests of Canada
Personal Information
19.(1)- Personal information
19.(2)- Where disclosure authorized
Third Party Information
20.(1)- Third party information
20.(2)- Product or environmental testing
20.(3)- Methods used in testing
20.(4)- Preliminary testing
20.(5)- Disclosure if a supplier consents
20.(6)- Disclosure authorized if in public interest
Operations of Governement
21.(1)- Advice, etc.
21.(2)- Exercise of a discretionary power or an adjudicative function
22.- Testing procedures, tests and audits
23.- Solicitor-client privilege
Statutory Prohibitions
24.(1)- Statutory prohibitions against disclosure
24.(2)- Review of statutory prohibitions by Parliamentary committee
25.- Severability
Refusal of Access
26.- Refusal of access where information to be published
THIRD PARTY INTERVENTION
27.(1)- Notice to third parties
27.(2)- Waiver of notice
27.(3)- Contents of notice
27.(4)- Extension of time limit
28.(1)- Representations of third party and decision
28.(2)- Representations to be made in writing
28.(3)- Contents of notice of decision to disclose
28.(4)- Disclosure of record
29.(1)- Where the Information Commissioner recommends disclosure
29.(2)- Contents of notice
COMPLAINTS
30.(1)- Receipt and investigation of complaints
30.(2)- Complaints submitted on behalf of complainants
30.(3)- Information Commissioner may initiate complaint
31.- Written complaint
INVESTIGATIONS
32.- Notice of intention to investigate
33.- Notice to third parties
34.- Regulation of procedure
35.(1)- Investigations in private
35.(2)- Right to make representations
36.(1)- Powers of Information Commissioner in carrying out investigations
36.(2)- Access to records
36.(3)- Evidence in other proceedings
36.(4)- Witness fees
36.(5)- Return of documents, etc.
37.(1)- Findings and recommendations of the Information Commissioner
37.(2)- Report to complainant and third parties
37.(3)- Matter to be included in report to complainant
37.(4)- Access to be given
37.(5)- Right of review
REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT
38. Annual report
39.(1)- Special reports
39.(2)- Where investigation made
40.(1)- Transmission of reports
40.(2)- Reference to Parliamentary committee
REVIEW BY THE FEDERAL COURT
41.- Review by Federal Court
42.(1)- Information Commissioner may apply or appear
42.(2)- Applicant may appear as party
43.(1)- Notice to third parties
43.(2)- Third party may appear as party
44.(1)- Third party may apply for a review
44.(2)- Notice to person who requested record
44.(3)- Person who requested access may appear as party
45.- Hearing in summary way
46.- Access to records
47.(1)- Court to take precautions against disclosing
47.(2)- Disclosure of offence authorized
48.- Burden of proof
49.- Order of Court where no authorization to refuse disclosure found
50.- Order of Court where reasonable grounds of injury not found
51.- Order of Court not to disclose record
52.(1)- Applications relating to international affairs or defence
52.(2)- Special rules for hearings
52.(3)-
Ex parte representations
53.(1)- Costs
53.(2)- Idem
OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER
Information Commissioner
54.(1)- Information Commissioner
54.(2)- Tenure of office and removal
54.(3)- Further terms
54.(4)- Absence or incapacity
55.(1)- Rank, powers and duties generally
55.(2)- Salary and expenses
55.(3)- Pension benefits
55.(4)- Other benefits
Assistant Information Commissioner
56.(1)- Appointment of Assistant Information Commissioner
56.(2)- Tenure of office and removal of
56.(3)- Further terms
57.(1)- Duties generally
57.(2)- Salary and expenses
57.(3)- Pension benefits
57.(4)- Other benefits
Staff
58.(1)- Staff of the Information Commissioner
58.(2)- Technical assistance
Delegation
59.(1)- Delegation by Information Commissioner
59.(2)- Delegations of investigations relating to international affairs and defence
59.(3)- Delegation by Assistant Information Commissioner
General
60.- Principal office
61.- Security requirements
62.- Confidentiality
63.(1)- Disclosure authorized
63.(2)- Disclosure of offence authorized
64.- Information not to be disclosed
65.- No summons
66.(1)- Protection of Information Commissioner
66.(2)- Libel or slander
OFFENCES
67.(1)- Obstruction
67.(2)- Offence and punishment
67.1(1)- Obstructing Right of Access
67.1(2)- Offence and punishment
GENERAL
68.- Act does not apply to certain materials
69.(1)- Confidences of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
69.(2)- Definition of "Council"
69.(3)- Exception
70.(1)- Duties and functions of designated Minister
70.(2)- Exception for Bank of Canada
71.(1)- Manuals may be inspected by public
71.(2)- Exempt information may be excluded
72.(1)- Report to Parliament
72.(2)- Tabling of report
72.(3)- Reference to Parliamentary committee
73.- Delegation by the head of a government institution
74.- Protection from civil proceeding or from prosecution
75.(1)- Permanent review of Act by Parliamentary committee
75.(2)- Review and report to Parliament
76.- Binding on Crown
77.(1)- Regulations
77.(2)- Additions to Schedule I
Last Modified 2002-04-12
Important Notices
