Freedom of Information

Both commercial parties and public authorities come to Blakes for guidance on freedom of information legislation. Blakes lawyers frequently assist business clients when responding to access to information requests for documents related to their business that are in the government’s possession. Blakes also represents both media and corporate clients requesting information from the government and in access to information litigation. Our litigators have argued many of the leading access to information cases, handled investigations and appeals before the federal and provincial Information and Privacy Commissioners, and represented clients at all levels of courts in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the federal and provincial courts of appeal. Clients also seek our advice in drafting and interpreting contractual provisions concerned with the application of freedom of information legislation and on the potential implications of providing confidential information to government.
 
Blakes lawyers also offer clients guidance on compliance matters involving the application of privacy and data protection legislation and responses to privacy-related complaints.