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Introduction
The appellant, a journalist, wrote to the Ministry of the Solicitor General (the Ministry) seeking access under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act) to records relating to certain named individuals (the affected persons). The requests, decisions and appeals are organized into two different groups, based on the type of records involved. All of the requests relate to allegations of sexual abuse in Cornwall, Ontario.
OPP Records: Appeals PA-000042-1, PA-000043-1, PA-000044-1, PA-000045-1 (the OPP Appeals)
In these appeals, the appellant sought access to records held by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) relating to the OPP's investigation of named and unnamed individuals in relation to allegations of misconduct by parole officers.
The Ministry refused to confirm or deny the existence of records responsive to these requests, pursuant to section 14(5) (law enforcement) and 21(5) (personal privacy) of the Act.
The appellant appealed these decisions to this office.
During the mediation stage of these appeals, the appellant raised the possible application of the "public interest override" at section 23 of the Act. In addition, the appellant clarified with the Ministry that she was specifically seeking access to any police reports and any associated issue notes which may exist. Although the appellant has now submitted that she did not make this clarification, because of the outcome of this appeal, it is not necessary for me to make a finding on this point.
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