The province’s Privacy Commissioner has sided with the official Opposition after the Department of Health did not respond to an ATIPP request on time.
According to commissioner Michael Harvey, the PCs made a request but the department did not reply within the required timeframe, and as such, it was considered a refusal of access.
Harvey launched an investigation, at the Opposition’s request, and found that the department did not comply with its obligations under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Further, Harvey says a final response to the access request was provided during informal resolution—213 business days after the request was made.
Harvey has recommended that the department review its policies, assign additional staff, maintain communication with applicants, and comply with its statutory duties in the future.