Investigation Report: FIPPA Refused Access – Manitoba Executive Council

2018-04-06

Summary

Manitoba Executive Council – refusal of access to records of text messages from the premier’s personal cell phone regarding Manitoba government business; access was refused on the basis that records could not be located as the phone bills did not display the recipients of text messages, which would identify text messages relating to government business. Subsequent to a complaint to our office, a further search of the cell phone in question was conducted and some text messages relating to government business were able to be recovered from the device. A revised access decision was issued to the complainant giving access to the recovered information in part. The ombudsman found that the complaint about not being able to locate responsive records was supported.

Case 2017-0357