Access to Info Watch: Through the Looking Glass (And What You Won't Find There) (Part Two)

(The first part, which covers departments, and includes a brief summary of what, exactly, I was looking for, and why, can be found here.) 

As was the case with the summaries profiled earlier, the very fact that some requested information can't be found seems like the opening line of a tale demanding to be told.

Why, for instance, does the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have no documents "pertaining to the lapse of $247,755,046 in statutory funding for loans to eligible First Nations for construction of on-reserve housing (as noted in Public Accounts of Canada, 2010 - 2011)"?

Really, wouldn't one take it for granted that the Environmental Assessment Agency of Canada would have at least a few records, "including but not limited to memos, reports and briefing notes, created after the development of a project to summarize issues raised by First Nations on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project" -- or, indeed, "memos, briefing notes, e-mails, talking points, media lines, correspondence, media summaries, directives, etc." related to the PM's comments on "the process of the Joint Review Panel" examining that same project? 

Why, on November 24, 2011, did Public Private Partnerships Canada purportedly remove all references to sports facilities and recreation centres from its website -- and why are there no records concerning the decision to do so?

And can one draw any conclusions from the conspicuous absence of any "reports, discussion papers, briefing notes or memos which set out the profile of persons engaged in interprovincial human trafficking or human smuggling within Canada with specific reference to sex trade workers" within the RCMP archives?

(A caveat: It's possible, of course, that the relevant records are housed elsewhere, waiting for the requester to find his or her way to the right organization, but in many cases, it's difficult to see what that might be.)

In other cases, one can glean nearly as much from the request as from the fact that no salient information could be produced in response.

For instance, it's hard to believe that this request, filed with CBC/Radio Canada...

With regard to websites accessed on the personal departmental desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, tablet computers, or internet-enabled devices issued to the Ottawa offices: (a) what are the URLs of all websites accessed on said devices between 12:01 a.m. on February 1, 2012, and 12:01 a.m. on February 14, 2012 (all dates and time inclusive); and (b) at what times were those websites accessed?

... wasn't inspired by this Question on the Order Paper, which was itself reported by CBC. Alas for the querent, no such logs were available.

What scenarios were running through the mind of the individual who requested that Elections Canada turn over "copies of all documents, including e-mails, talking points, media lines, backgrounders, briefing notes, correspondence, reports, etc. regarding reports of leaks to the media by Elections Canada since February 21, 2012" -- and did the fact that no records could be located satisfy, or simply enhance his or her curiosity? 

Was it the same person who asked for all documents related to "any phone banks, robocalls or automatic phone messages created by or for Elections Canada or by local election officers since January 1, 2011," a query that also turned up no relevant material?

Some requests, like this posed to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL), read like something one might find in an eleventh grade advanced physics exam:

"All of the mathematical formulas used to calculate the speed of sound that varies by temperature, height and humidity and all information on the meteorological data used during the EZ process on the Remediation project."

Others, similarly technical in nature, take a distinctly belligerent tone:

"The Canadian Space Agency claims that Professor Lawrence Harris conducted a "microgravity experiment, Bodies in Space (BISE) study"(Access to Information request ATI 2011-16). Please provide the results of this experiment, any report filed on it and proof that it was completed, including the date of completion."

One can't imagine that the standard "no files found" response will do much to overcome what appears to be a marked scepticism on the part of the querent.

(The Canadian Space Agency was also asked how much it spent in "taking Rick Mercer on flight in a zero gravity airplane for the CBC program "The Mercer Report", but, as was the case with CBC itself, was apparently unable to find any relevant records.)

Speaking of space, X Files aficionados may quietly envy the Canada Border Services Agency ATIP officer who was charged with fulfilling a request for all ATI requests related to "aliens/extra-terrestrial beings, sightings, invasions, etc." since 2008, and would likely be able to suggest any number of conspiracy theories for why it came up empty.

But for truly offbeat -- and, for all we know, uncannily prescient -- lines of inquiry, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service would appear to be the destination of choice: during the last six months, CSIS has had to contend with requests for all "analytical material" related to the Illuminati and Skull and Bones Society, as well as "information on partially human persons resulting from genetic mutations."

(Particularly imaginative/suggestible readers may, alternately, be relieved or disappointed to learn that, in both cases, the agency reported back that no such documents existed.)

Other files not found:

Bank of Canada

• Any contracts related to event management/coordination such as (but not limited to): conferences, conventions, galas, appreciation events, meetings, lectures, parties, staff appreciations events, receptions, annual general meetings (AGM), campaigns, trade shows, team building workshops, training sessions, promotional events, informational sessions, training seminars, product launches.  We are only interested on the planning portion of it.

Canada Border Services Agency

• All documents concerning Canada Border Services Agency policy regarding Politically Exposed Persons and Politically Exposed Foreign Persons.
• All information regarding the procurement and use of software from BrightPlanet including Deep Web Silos, Deep Web Monitor, and OpenPlanet by the Canada Border Services Agency for gathering intelligence on persons of interest from 2009 to December 2010. Exclude cabinet confidences.

Canada Council for the Arts

• All records related to changes in grants, endowments and programs arising as a result of budget 2012 and its impact on the council. Timeline for request is from January 2012 to present.

Canada Industrial Relations Board

• Inquiry on the probability of the possession of information about an individual

Canada School of Public Service

• Draft or finalized memos, minutes, reports, plans and/or proposals, as well as e-mails, about integrating knowledge of Indian residential schools and/or the Prime Minister's apology into the curriculum the Government of Canada offers its employees through the Canada School of Public Service.

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
    

• All records reflecting the false positive rate of the Millimeter wave body scanners at Canadian airports for 2011 to Feb. 1, 2012.

CBC/Radio Canada

• "Provide copies of all documents, including memos, briefing notes, talking points, media lines, e-mails, BlackBerry PINs, etc. regarding updates to CBC's Access to Information website (http://cbc.radio-canada.ca/docs/diclosure/information.shtml) , since January 1, 2012. Clarification Apr. 03/12: I am looking specifically for any update information regarding the "Latest Request" section of the webpage provided in my original request text, as it appears to not have been updated recently (i.e. the "latest request" listed is A-2011-00088)."
• Requesting all documents and correspondence regarding any research, focus groups, or polling, conducted on the Sun News Network, SNN, Sun News, Sun TV, Sun Media, and/or Quebecor. Clarification Apr.18/12: Confirmed with requester that he is interested in records related only to audience based research.
• How much did the CBC spend to take Rick Mercer for a flight in a zero-gravity airplane for the CBC program "The Mercer Report"? [NOTE: Similar request filed with Canadian Space Agency elicited the same response: no records available.]
• Provide documents defining and indicating what David Suzuki's carbon footprint is, specifically from January 2006 - January 2012. Furthermore, provide information on whether the CBC pays for David Suzuki's carbon offsets and emissions. Documents should include reciepts and invoices. These should also include flights, taxis, etc.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

• Provide copies of all documents, including memos, briefing notes, e-mails, talking points, media lines etc., regarding the list of applicants who wish to make an oral presentation at the Northern Gateway Pipeline review hearings, specifically regarding issues such as the presence of fake names and foreigners on the list.
• Provide a list of all names that have been removed or deleted from the public registry of those requesting to make an oral statement to the Joint Review Panel on the Northern Gateway pipeline, since October 1, 2010.
• Provide copies of all documents, including memos, briefing notes, e-mails, talking points, media lines, correspondence, media summaries, directives, etc., regarding Ezra Levant, Kathryn Marshall, Ethical Oil, ethicaloil.org. or Ourdecision.ca and the Joint Review Panel on the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project.

Canadian Human Rights Commission

• All documents prepared for the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission relating to the MV Sun Sea, which arrived in British Columbia on August 13, 2010. Date range: June 1, 2010 to June 1, 2011.
• All documents prepared for the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission relating to the Ocean Lady, which arrived in British Columbia on October 17, 2009. Date range: August 1, 2009 to August 1, 2010.
• All records concerning proposals to reform Alberta's human rights law since January 1, 2010.

Canadian Museum of Nature

• Request regarding correspondence between May 18. 2011 and March 12, 2012 with Minister John Baird regarding the parking.

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

• Copies of records related to the "positive void coefficient" for power reactors in 2011

Canadian Polar Commission

• Environmental sustainability analysis information for certain High Arctic locations.

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

• All and/or any Access to Information (ATI) requests submitted to the CRTC by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) during calendar year 2009. (Identical requests for 2010 and 2011 also produced no documents.)
• All reports, research, studies or memos written since June 23, 2010 on the impact of foreign ownership or investments in Canadian telecommunications and broadcasting.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service

• Records related to consultations with law enforcement and justice officials that describe why obtaining a warrant for basic subscriber information would negatively impact the ability to carry out investigations and add another burden on the criminal justice system.
• Memoranda and briefing notes between CSIS, CBSA and/or Public Safety as well as briefing notes to the Director concerning the threat risk posed by security certificate detainees from 2010 to February 10, 2012.
• The RCMP security file on Lester B. Pearson.
• All documents regarding Zita de Bourbon-Parme (1982-1989) [sic]

Canadian Transportation Agency

• Complaints filed with the Canadian Transportation Agency Air Travel complaints directorate between July 1, 2011 and Dec 1, 2011 concerning animals in the passenger cabin during flight.

Correctional Service of Canada

• Full copy of all documents held by CSC that show the type of complaints and number of complaints made by inmates against other inmates in each of the institutions from 2005 to the present
• All correspondence from Geo Group Inc. or Corrections Corporation of America lobbying for the privatization of correctional services and facilities, from January 1, 2011 to February 9, 2012

Library and Archives Canada

• Threats against Prime Minister P.E. Trudeau during the FLQ Crisis and in particular his attendance at the 1969 Grey Cup Football game in Montreal, Nov 1969.
• All records, receipts and claims related or referring to the Honourable Vic Toews for travel, meals, accommodations and hospitality while he was President of the Treasury Board.
• I am looking for the date of appointment and date of vacancy of all Postmasters at the Maccan (Cumberland County), Nova Scotia, post office since June 1973.
• All records that were created by the (since disbanded) RCMP Security Service on Barbara Frum, a Canadian journalist who died on March 26, 1992.
• Copies of all the documents requested contained in sealed envelopes as well as any investigative reports concerning Steve Elash, involved in a shooting/murder and suicide in Yorkton, Sask. in 1935.
• Department of Finance records held by Library and Archives Canada relating to sales of gold reserves by the Government of Canada from January 1st, 1990 to December 31st, 1995.

National Capital Commission

• Records referring to the redevelopment of NCC land to resemble the Distillery District or Granville Island
• Any reports related to the choosing of acts for Bluesfest in the past five years

National Film Board

• All documents relating to the « David Suzuki Virtual Classroom » event since November 3rd 2011.
• Documents pertaining to Jean Benoît-Lévy's voyage to Canada

Office of the Auditor General

• Proof that the bilingualism pay given to federal public servants is valid

Elections Canada

• Obtain a complete copy of all letters and correspondence from the Conservative Party or its representatives to Elections Canada employees pertaining to the firms Rack Nine and Perspective Marketing Group, between January 1, 2012 and March 2, 2012.

Public Health Agency of Canada

• Evaluation of Avian influenza and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness including Mock Vaccine and regulatory capacity. Provide draft or interim version if final not yet complete.

Public Service Commission of Canada

• In 2005 an email (unsolicited) was received by Federal public servants requested those who felt that their careers were negatively affected by the new bilingual policy to provide their name, home address, and department. I would like a copy of this email and the date that it was sent.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• Emails between the RCMP Commissioner's Office, the Public Affairs office, and the officer(s) in charge of the Canadian Firearms Program that led to the development of the final 2010 Commissioner of Firearms Report
• All reports produced between October 1, 2011, and March 5, 2012, by the RCMP's Cyber Crime Fusion Centre about the incidence of cyber crime
• All records collected by the NCECC from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2012, of refusals by telecom and Internet companies to provide customer name and address information upon request by ICE units
• All records and documents regarding complaints of sexual harassment within the RCMP on Prince Edward Island over the past five years

Statistics Canada

• Copies available of documents, reports analyses, audits, briefing notes, statistics, etc. that show that federally-licensed gun owners are more dangerous than prohibited gun owners, unlicensed gun owners and non-violent crime rates between licensed gun owners, prohibited gun owners, unlicensed gun owners and non-gun owners. We are looking for docs that show a comparison of homicide rates and violent crime rates between licensed gun owners, prohibited gun owners, unlicend [sic] gun owners and non-gun owners.

Finally, to complete the sequence, the following 28 agencies have not posted a single completed request since January 1, 2012: 

• Assisted Human Reproduction Canada
• Canadian Dairy Commission
• Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation
• Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board
• Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
• Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board
• Canadian Forces Grievance Board
• Canadian Grain Commission
• Canadian Human Rights Tribunal*
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• First Nations Tax Commission
• Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission
• Military Police Complaints Commission
• National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
• Northern Pipeline Agency
• Office of the Administrator of the Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund
• Office of the Information Commissioner
• Patent Medicine Prices Review Board
• Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation
• Port Alberni Port Authority
• Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal Canada
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee
• Seaway International Bridge Corporation
• Specific Claims Tribunal Canada
• St. John's Port Authority
• St. Mary's River Bridge Company
• Standards Council of Canada
• Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board

*A note on the Open Government website claims that CHRT is unable to post disclosure summaries due to "technical challenges".