Access to Information Modernization Action Plan Tracker

Action:
Update the guidance on consultations, including suggested service standards, and develop tools to support institutions with consultations.
Organization:
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Category:
(C01) Improving Services to Canadians
Subcategory:
(C01.2) Actions to reduce delays
Status:
Completed
Action Number:
C01.2.1
Target Date:
Fiscal Year 2024-25
Benefits:

Consultation processes for access to information requests are more effective and consistent, with fewer delays from lengthy consultations.

Canadians receive responses to requests in a timely manner, even when consultations between institutions are required.

Results:

In February 2025, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) posted an updated version of Chapter 9 – Processing Requests of the Access to Information Manual to the ATIP Professionals GCcollab group. The chapter provides guidance to government institutions on responding to requests for information within the framework provided by the Access to Information Act (the Act). It outlines the steps of the request process, including those related to internal consultations, inter-institutional consultations, and consultations with third parties. The chapter will be published to canada.ca as soon as practicable in fiscal year 2025-26.

In March 2025, TBS delivered a Deep Dive training session through the Access to Information and Privacy Communities Development Office on performing consultations under the Act. The presentation provided general context on consultations, on when to perform them, on best practices, and on considerations related to calculating reasonable extensions under paragraph 9(1)(b). 260 participants attended, and the session recording was posted to the ATIP Professionals GCcollab group.