Investigation Report: FIPPA Refused Access – Manitoba Justice

2025-10-07

Summary

An individual made a request to Manitoba Justice for access to documents related to the Exchange of Service Agreement with the Correctional Service of Canada to hold federally sentenced offenders in Manitoba Correctional Centers. The public body refused access in full, informing the complainant that information provided to Manitoba Justice from Justice Canada would have been shared in confidence. Our office received a complaint from the individual about Manitoba Justice’s decision to refuse access to the information.

Based on our review, we determined that the complaint is supported. We found the public body had not fulfilled its duty to conduct a reasonable search for records responsive to the complainant’s request. We also found the public body did not provide sufficient justification for withholding the Exchange of Service Agreement under clause 20(1)(a) of FIPPA. The public body did not demonstrate that any part of the agreement was provided by Justice Canada in confidence. It is also our view that only specific content shared by Justice Canada with a clear expectation of confidentiality may qualify for exemption. The Ombudsman issued a report with four recommendations.

The public body did not comply with the prescribed deadlines laid out under FIPPA and in the Ombudsman’s recommendations, and the matter was referred to the Manitoba Information and Privacy Adjudicator on August 28, 2025. Read the full report for more information.

Case MO-10136