Access to Information Act 2019-2020

CANADIAN HIGH ARCTIC RESEARCH STATION
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT
APRIL 1, 2019 - MARCH 31, 2020

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Access to Information Act is to extend the present laws of Canada to provide a right of access to information in records under the control of a government institution in accordance with the principles that government information should be available to the public, that necessary exceptions to the right of access should be limited and specific and that decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government.

In accordance with section 72 of the Access to Information Act, this annual report is prepared and tabled in Parliament.

Established on June 1, 2015, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station has the following purpose:

• advance knowledge of the Canadian Arctic in order to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship and the quality of life of its residents and all other Canadians;
• promote the development and dissemination of knowledge of the other circumpolar regions, including the Antarctic;
• strengthen Canada’s leadership on Arctic issues; and
• establish a hub for scientific research in the Canadian Arctic

The Canadian High Arctic Research Station is a departmental corporation, reporting to the Minister of Northern Affairs. As a micro-organization, it has no full-time ATIP staff. All requests are dealt with by a staff member who fulfills Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator duties on an ad hoc basis, with assistance from other staff as required.

The head of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station has not delegated any of his powers and responsibilities under the Act.

STATISTICAL REPORTS
The Canadian High Arctic Research Station received no requests for information under the Access to Information Act.

COVID-19-related measures did not impact the institution’s ability to fulfill its Access to Information Act responsibilities. No mitigation measures were required.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS
There have been no complaints or investigations pursuant to the Access to Information Act in 2019-2020.

NEW POLICIES, GUIDELINES, AND PROCEDURES
In the reporting period 2019-2020, POLAR updated its internal procedures on proactive disclosure to align with the amendments to the Access to Information Act.

TRAINING
In 2019-2020, POLAR provided training and guidance to employees on the requirements for proactive disclosure, coordinated with updates to its internal procedures for disclosure. POLAR also provided briefings to senior management on the requirements under the Access to Information Act, as well as new requirements under recent amendments.

MONITORING
No monitoring was conducted during the reporting period, 2019-2020.