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Annual Report on the Access to Information Act 2017–18

General

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The CNSC disseminates objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.

The CNSC’s mandate, derived from the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, involves four major areas:

  • regulation of the development, production and use of nuclear energy in Canada to protect health, safety and the environment
  • regulation of the production, possession, use and transport of nuclear substances, and the production, possession and use of prescribed equipment and prescribed information
  • implementation of measures respecting international control of the development, production, transport and use of nuclear energy and substances, including measures respecting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear explosive devices
  • dissemination of scientific, technical and regulatory information concerning the CNSC’s activities, and the effects on the environment and the health and safety of persons, of the development, production, possession, transport and use of nuclear substances

The CNSC also administers the Nuclear Liability Act, conducts environmental assessments under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, and implements Canada’s bilateral agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on nuclear safeguards verification.

Purpose of the Access to Information Act

The purpose of the Access to Information Act (AIA) is to extend the laws of Canada to provide a right of access to information in records under the control of a government institution, in accordance with the principles stating that government information should be available to the public, that necessary exceptions to the right of access should be limited and specific, and that decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government.

Tabling of the annual report

This annual report is prepared and tabled in Parliament in accordance with section 72 of the AIA.

1. Statistical report

I. Requests received under the Access to Information Act

In 2017–18, the CNSC received 289 requests under the Access to Information Act (two requests more than in the previous reporting period).

The CNSC also processed 37 informal requests during the reporting period. Seven of these were internal requests for a review before documents were released informally on the external website or by other means. A total of 30 informal requests were for previously released AIA packages identified on the "Proactive disclosure" page of the CNSC website.

For requests closed during the reporting period, the CNSC processed a total of 38,507 pages and disclosed 14,121 pages to requesters. This represents a 28-percent decrease in the number of pages processed in fiscal year 2016–17.

Other federal government agencies and departments responsible for records related to CNSC activities also consulted with the CNSC on 33 occasions. The CNSC processed 601 pages for these consultations.

Description
Figure 1: Workload
  2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Received 108 139 157 287 289
Closed 113 136 171 283 267
Outstanding 26 21 24 10 14
Carried Forward 21 24 10 14 36

II. Source of requests

The organizations continue to submit an increasing number of requests to the CNSC. In 2017–18, requests were made most frequently by organizations (85 percent), followed by members of the public (8 percent) businesses (5 percent), media (2 percent) and academia (0 percent).

Description
Figure 2: Source of requests received
  2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Public 21 11 16 13 24
Organization 70 82 115 237 245
Business 8 34 13 18 13
Academia 3 3 6 5 0
Media 0 9 7 14 7

III. Disposition of closed reports

In 2017–18, the CNSC closed 267 requests. This represents a slight decrease compared to the 283 requests closed in 2016–17. Of the 267 requests closed during the reporting period, records for 42 were disclosed fully, while records for 43 were disclosed in part. There were only 21 requests for which relevant records were exempted in their entirety. The remaining 161 requests were either abandoned by the requester, transferred to another government institution or had no records associated with them.

Description
Figure 3: Disposition of closed requests
  All disclosed Disclosed in part All exempted All excluded No records exist Transferred Abandoned Treated informally
Closed requests 42 43 21 0 147 2 12 37

IV. Exemptions or exclusions invoked

Most of the exemptions invoked by the CNSC in 2017–18 came under three sections of the AIA: subsection 19(1), which protects personal information; paragraphs 20(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d), which protect confidential information supplied by a third party; and paragraphs 21(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d), which protect advice, recommendations and the deliberation process of public servants.

V. Completion time

VI. Extensions

Section 9 of the AIA permits an extension of statutory time limits under certain circumstances. In 2017–18, the CNSC requested extensions on 48 occasions. In five of these cases, an extension was required to provide third-party notifications. In 18 of these cases, an extension was required for consultation within a government institution, other government institutions or other levels of government. Because of the increase in the volume of records processed at the CNSC, a further 25 extensions were needed (since searches through large volumes of records made it impossible to meet the original timelines without interfering with CNSC operations). Most of the extensions were for 31 to 120 days.

VII. Costs

During 2017–18, the CNSC’s Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Office incurred $210,510 in salary costs and $94,635 in goods and services costs to administer the AIA.

See Annex A for further statistical information.

2. Practices and procedures

At the CNSC, the Information Management Division (IMD), within the Information Management and Technology Directorate, administers the Access to Information Act.

Access to information requests are received by the Records Office and forwarded to the ATIP Office, IMD. Staff members in the ATIP Office process requests in consultation with the appropriate CNSC directorates and with external parties, where necessary.

The CNSC has three full-time employees, and one part-time consultant dedicated to access-to-information activities.

During 2017–18, the CNSC continued to concentrate on providing formal training on information management, the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act and information security to its employees. This training was provided over seven sessions during the reporting period to 210 employees and focused on informing them of their responsibilities in those areas. IMD offers an integrated training approach, emphasizing the connections between sound information management practices and an effective ATIP program. The ATIP Office also provides advice and support as required.

Documentation and training materials on the CNSC’s ATIP program are available through its corporate intranet, along with links to other materials, such as legislation, Treasury Board Secretariat policies and guidance documents, and a range of information management and guidance tools. The CNSC did not implement any new policies, guidelines or procedures during the reporting period.

As an organization that values openness and transparency, the CNSC strives to ensure that information is made publicly available without recourse to the AIA. Exceptions to public access to information are limited and specific, as required by the Act.

The CNSC frequently makes copies of the following documents available to members of the public for their examination:

  • current licences and approvals
  • revocation or suspension notices
  • reports concerning occurrences
  • applications for approval of licences
  • information on hazards to individuals, the public or the environment
  • orders for corrective measures to be taken as a result of significant occurrences
  • notices of intent to establish nuclear facilities
  • Commission hearing minutes and supporting documentation
  • requests for temporary help
  • proactive disclosure of senior management travel and hospitality expenses
  • proactive disclosure of contract information
  • Auditor General of Canada reports (pertaining to the CNSC)
  • internal audits

The CNSC also posts, via the Open Government portal, summaries of completed access to information requests processed by the ATIP Office.

3. Delegation of athority

The Governor in Council has delegated to the President of the CNSC the authority to exercise the powers, duties and functions in the Access to Information Act. In turn, the President has designated the Vice-President of the Corporate Services Branch, the Director General of the Information Management and Technology Directorate, the Director of the Information Management Division, and the Senior ATIP Advisor to exercise his powers, duties and functions with respect to the Access to Information Act.

See Annex C for a copy of the instrument of delegation.

4. Compliance

The CNSC achieved a compliance rating of approximately 91% for completed access- to-information requests closed within the legislated timeframe in 2017–18. Many factors led to this rate of compliance, including an electronic retrieval system in use since 2009. This electronic system has reduced the time needed for the ATIP Office to receive the required documents and prepare the files for review and approval. The ATIP Office has established a five-day service standard for subject matter experts to retrieve relevant records and obtain director general sign-off. In addition, through training and awareness sessions, CNSC staff members were generally receptive to their obligations under the Access to Information Act and delays were reduced.

5. Complaints and appeals to the Federal Court

In 2017–18, one new complaint about deemed refusal applied to a request was registered with the Office of the Information Commissioner.

There were no complaint investigations carried over from the previous year.

As always, the CNSC will continue to work closely with the Office of the Information Commissioner to resolve the remaining ongoing complaints in a timely and efficient manner.

No appeals were made to the Federal Court of Canada during 2017–18.

Annex A: Statistical Information

Name of institution: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Reporting period: 2017-04-01 to 2018-03-31

Part 1: Requests Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Number of requests
  Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 289
Outstanding from previous reporting period 14
Total 303
Closed during reporting period 267
Carried over to next reporting period 36

1.2 Sources of Requests
Source Number of requests
Media 7
Academia 0
Business (private sector) 13
Organization 245
Public 24
Decline to Identify 0
Total 289

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
27 2 0 1 0 0 0 30

Note: All requests previously recorded as “treated informally” will now be accounted for in this section only.

TBS/SCT 350-63 (Rev. 2011/03)

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 9 20 6 6 1 0 0 42
Disclosed in part 3 15 9 8 6 2 0 43
All exempted 5 4 3 4 5 0 0 21
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
No records exist 100 31 3 13 0 0 0 147
Request transferred 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Request abandoned 8 2 1 1 0 0 0 12
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 127 72 22 32 12 2 0 267

2.2 Exemptions
Section Number of Requests
13(1)(a) 3
13(1)(b) 1
13(1)(c) 5
13(1)(d) 0
13(1)(e) 0
14 0
14(a) 0
14(b) 5
15(1) 1
15(1) - I.A.* 5
15(1) – Def.* 5
15(1) – S.A.* 5
16(1)(a)(i) 0
16(1)(a)(ii) 0
16(1)(a)(iii) 0
16(1)(b) 0
16(1)(c) 0
16(1)(d) 0
16(2) 0
16(2)(a) 0
16(2)(b) 0
16(2)(c) 5
16(3) 0
16.1(1)(a) 0
16.1(1)(b) 0
16.1(1)(c) 0
16.1(1)(d) 0
16.2(1) 3
16.3 0
16.4(1)(a) 0
16.4(1)(b) 0
16.5 0
17 0
18(a) 0
18(b) 1
18(c) 0
18(d) 0
18.1(1)(a) 0
18.1(1)(b) 0
18.1(1)(c) 0
18.1(1)(d) 0
19(1) 26
20(1)(a) 0
20(1)(b) 15
20(1)(b.1) 15
20(1)(c) 4
20(1)(d) 0
20.1 0
20.2 0
20.4 0
21(1)(a) 36
21(1)(b) 37
21(1)(c) 1
21(1)(d) 0
22 0
22.1(1) 0
23 5
24(1) 0
26 0

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

2.3 Exclusions
Section Number of Requests
68(a) 0
68(b) 0
68(c) 0
68.1 0
68.2(a) 0
68.2(b) 0
69(1) 0
69(1)(a) 0
69(1)(b) 0
69(1)(c) 0
69(1)(d) 0
69(1)(e) 0
69(1)(f) 0
69(1)(g) re (a) 0
69(1)(g) re (b) 0
69(1)(g) re (c) 0
69(1)(g) re (d) 0
69(1)(g) re (e) 0
69(1)(g) re (f) 0
69.1(1) 0

2.4 Format of information released
Disposition Paper Electronic Other formats
All disclosed 40 2 0
Disclosed in part 33 10 0
Total 73 12 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 1384 566 42
Disclosed in part 25368 13555 43
All exempted 11755 0 21
All excluded 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 12
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 38 468 4 98 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 21 481 14 1972 2 353 5 7894 1 2855
All exempted 8 0 6 0 2 0 5 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 79 949 24 2070 4 353 10 7894 1 2855

2.5.3 Other complexities
Disposition Consultation
Required
Assessment
of Fees
Legal Advice
Sought
Other Total
All disclosed 6 0 0 1 7
Disclosed in part 16 0 1 5 22
All exempted 4 0 0 1 5
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0

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
23 5 1 17 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 10 1 11
16 to 30 days 1 0 1
31 to 60 days 8 0 8
61 to 120 days 1 1 2
121 to 180 days 0 1 1
181 to 365 days 0 0 0
More than 365 days 0 0 0
Total 20 3 23

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

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 6 0 3 1
Disclosed in part 5 0 14 3
All exempted 7 0 1 1
All excluded 0 0 0 0
No records exist 6 0 0 0
Request abandoned 1 0 0 0
Total 25 0 18 5

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 2 0 0 0
31 to 60 days 0 0 6 0
61 to 120 days 22 0 10 5
121 to 180 days 1 0 2 0
181 to 365 days 0 0 0 0
365 days or more 0 0 0 0
Total 25 0 18 5

Part 4: Fees

Fee Type Fee Collected Fee Waived or Refunded
Number of
Requests
Amount Number of
Requests
Amount
Application 264 $1,320 0 $0
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 264 $1,320 0 $0

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 33 582 13 1078
Outstanding from the previous reporting period 1 19 0 0
Total 34 601 13 1078
Closed during the reporting period 32 601 13 1078
Pending at the end of the reporting period 2 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 17 7 1 0 0 0< 0 25
Disclose in part 2 3 4 0 0 0 0 7
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 19 10 3 0 0 0 0 32

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 5 6 1 0 0 0< 0 12
Disclose in part 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
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 5 7 1 0 0 0 0 13

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

Part 7: Complaints and Investigations

Section 32 Section 35 Section 37 Total
1 0 0 1

Part 8: Court Action

Section 41 Section 42 Section 44 Total
0 0 0 0

Part 9: Resources Related to the Access to Information Act

9.1 Costs
Expenditures Amount
Salaries $210,510
Overtime $0
Goods and Services $96,089
   • Professional services contracts $94,635  
   • Other $1,454  
Total $306,699

9.2 Human resources
Resources Person Years Dedicated to Access to Information Activities
Full-time employees 3.00
Part-time and casual employees 0.00
Regional staff 0.00
Consultants and agency personnel 0.71
Students 0.00
Total 3.71

Note: Enter values to two decimal places.

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