Timeframe for responding to requests
Access to information
For requests made pursuant to the Access to Information Act, the Commission has 30 days to respond. However, this period may be extended for a reasonable period of time 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 government institution.
A time extension may also be granted if consultations are necessary to comply with the request that cannot be completed within the original time limit. If the required time extension is greater than 30 days, the head of the institution is required under subsection 9(2) of the Act to inform the Information Commissioner of the extension. The requestor will also be given notice of the extension, within 30 days after the request is received, including the length of the extension. The notice shall contain a statement that the individual has the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner about the extension.
Privacy
In the case of formal requests made pursuant to the Privacy Act, the Commission has 30 days to respond. This period may be extended for a maximum of 30 days if meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the government institution, or if consultations are necessary to comply with the request that cannot be completed within the original time limit.
The period may also be extended for a reasonable period of time if additional time is necessary for translation purposes or for the purposes of converting the personal information into an alternative format. The requestor will be given notice of the extension, within 30 days after the request is received, including the length of the extension. The notice shall contain a statement that the individual has the right to make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner about the extension.