Investigator's Guide to Interpreting the Act

This section, containing information previously published as “The Grids,” is a compilation of information designed to assist investigators in pursuing their investigations into various types of complaints.

The Access to Information Act interpretations provided below are not guidelines, policies or dictates; they are explanations, primarily for investigations into the usage of the various exemption provision of the Act. They include discussions of the legislative provisions, judicial decisions made on those provisions and the logic of the exemptions.

They have been prepared over the years of the Office’s existence to help with the interpretation of the law involved in our investigations. Each one also provides suggested lines of questioning, to assist the investigator in fact-finding and in making recommendations for the resolution of the complaint.

Please note that the 2006 edition of the Investigator's Guide to Interpreting the Access to Information Act (previously published as "The Grids") is scheduled for a complete update in the next year.