Annual Report: 2007-2008

ABOUT THE OFFICE

Who we are

The Information Commissioner is an officer of Parliament and ombudsman, appointed by Parliament under the Access of Information Act, Canada's freedom of information legislation. The Commissioner reviews the complaints of individuals and organizations who believe that federal institutions have not respected their rights under the Act. The Commissioner also advocates for access to information in Canada and for transparent and open government.

Canada's fourth and current Information Commissioner, Robert Marleau, began his term on February 1, 2007. Before taking up the position, Mr. Marleau served Parliament for 31 years, 13 of them as Clerk of the House of Commons. He was interim Privacy Commissioner in 2003.

Mr. Marleau is supported in his work by the Office of the Information Commissioner, an independent public body set up in 1983 under the Access to Information Act to respond to complaints from the public about access to government information. The Office has four branches:

• The Complaints Resolution and Compliance Branch carries out investigations and dispute resolution efforts to resolve complaints.
• The Policy, Communications and Operations Branch monitors federal institutions' performance under the Act, provides strategic policy direction for the Office, leads the Office's external relations with the public, the government and Parliament, and provides strategic and corporate leadership in the areas of financial management, internal audit and information management.
• The Legal Services Branch represents the Commissioner in court cases and provides legal advice on investigations, and legislative and administrative matters.
• The Human Resources Branch oversees all aspects of human resources management and provides advice to managers and employees on human resources issues.

What we do

We investigate complaints about federal institutions' handling of access requests.

We thoroughly and fairly investigate complaints against federal institutions and use mediation and persuasion to resolve them. We bring cases to the Federal Court of Canada when they involve important principles of law or legal interpretation.

We promote Canadians' right to access government information and advocate for greater freedom of information and open government.

We encourage federal institutions to disclose information as a matter of course and to respect Canadians' rights to request and receive information, in the name of transparency and accountability.

We actively make the case for greater freedom of information in Canada, through targeted initiatives, such as Right to Know Week, and ongoing dialogue with Canadians, Parliament and federal institutions.