Departmental Policy on Section 67.1 of the ATI Act

  1. Section 67.1 of the Access to Information Act provides sanctions for any person who destroys, alters or falsifies a record, including transitory records, or directs anyone to do so, with the intent of obstructing the right of access to that record under the Act.
  2. In Natural Resources Canada, a suspected contravention of section 67.1 of the Access to Information Act will be dealt with in the same manner as a suspected theft, destruction of property or other security breach which may involve criminal activity.

    Note: The Treasury Board Government Security Policy (GSP), which applies to all Departments, is available on the Internet at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/gospubs/tbm_12a/gsp-psg_e.asp

  3. Employees must report immediately to the appropriate "designated official" if they suspect that someone is engaged in the destruction, alteration, falsification, or concealment of records, or if they suspect that someone is directing someone else to engage in these activities. If it is impractical to contact the designated official, employees should contact the Departmental Security Officer, at (613) 996-2418.
  4. All Directors General or equivalents and Regional Executive Directors are "designated officials" responsible for responding to any allegation of an improper activity described in paragraph 1. These designated officials have been given authority to halt any such activity until the Departmental Security Officer can verify that the activity does not contravene the Act.
  5. Designated officials must act immediately in order to stop any allegedly improper activity brought to their attention, and shall report, on an immediate basis, any such matters to the Departmental Security Officer.

Employees who require further information concerning Federal government records management, retention and disposal practices, as well as the requirements of the National Archives of Canada Act, should contact their sector's records personnel.

If you have any questions or concerns pertaining to these guidelines or the amendment to the Access to Information Act, please contact the Departmental ATIP Coordinator, at (613) 995-1305 or by fax (613) 995-0693.