IRCC’s automatic extensions on information requests can harm immigration agents

In a recent special report, Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard revealed that five unnamed people were identified by the department to be subject to automatic delays in requests they made through Canada’s access to information laws. According to the report, the IRCC was out of step with access to information rules. Under the act, federal entities have to respond to access requests within 30 calendar days or request an extension of 60 or 90 days as required. During the period of 2017-2020 when the department was receiving a huge number of requests, five individuals were identified as frequent requesters and then “automatically” decided an extension was needed on their files. Immigration agents fill numerous access to information requests on behalf of their clients and this delay can harm their companies’ reputations and the confidence clients place in them.