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A request was submitted to the Ministry of Community and Social Services (the "institution") from a local organization (the "requester"), for correspondence containing allegations of impropriety on the requester's part. The request specified correspondence from three named parties.
The institution identified the responsive records, and determined that release might affect the interests of certain individuals (the "affected persons"). Consequently, notices were sent to the affected persons, pursuant to section 28(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the "Act"). After receiving representations from the affected persons, the institution decided to release the records to the requester, and notified the affected persons accordingly. The affected persons were provided with 30 days to appeal the institution's decision prior to the release of the records. This Order deals with the appeal brought to this office by one of the affected persons (the "appellant").
Because settlement could not be achieved, the matter proceeded to an inquiry. Notice that an inquiry was being conducted to review the decision of the head was sent to the appellant, the institution and the requester's agent. Enclosed with each notice was a report prepared by an Appeals Officer, which is intended to assist the parties in making their representations concerning the subject matter of the appeal. Written representations were received from the appellant only.
The record at issue is a portion of one paragraph of a letter submitted by the appellant to the institution.
The issues arising in this appeal are whether the record contains "personal information", as defined by section 2(1) of the Act, and if so, whether its disclosure would be an unjustified invasion of personal privacy under section 21 of the Act.
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