Access-to-Information Heads Designation Order

Summary#

The federal government issued the Access to Information Act Heads of Government Institutions Designation Order (Registration SI/2024-61). It updates the official list of who counts as the “head” of many federal institutions for the purpose of access-to-information rules and repeals the old order (SI/83-113). The order comes into force on the 30th day after it was made (P.C. dated November 29, 2024; registered December 18, 2024).

What it does#

• Replaces and modernizes the previous Access to Information Act Heads of Government Institutions Designation Order (SI/83-113) with an updated list.
• Updates obsolete job titles and institution names so the list matches current organization structures.
• Removes designations that are no longer needed or that referred to institutions that no longer exist.
• Corrects typographical errors and modernizes the format.
• Changes who is formally designated as the “head” in some cases — either by naming a different position, or by removing an old designation so the general rule (that the chief executive is the head if none is designated, or that a presiding minister is head for departments) applies.

Who's affected#

• Anyone who makes or handles access-to-information requests under the Access to Information Act — such as members of the public, journalists, researchers, and businesses.
• Federal institutions named in the schedule. Examples include:
  • Canada Border Services Agency — Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
  • Canada Revenue Agency — Minister of National Revenue.
  • Canadian Forces — Minister of National Defence.
  • Library and Archives of Canada — Minister of Canadian Heritage.
  • Office of the Auditor General of Canada — Auditor General of Canada.
• Records and access offices inside those institutions, which may need to update who is treated as the institutional head for publishing and request-response responsibilities.
• The order also follows earlier changes (for example since 2006) that reduced the need to name chief executives explicitly in many cases.

Why it matters#

• The “head” of a government institution has specific duties under access-to-information law, like deciding how to respond to requests and what must be published proactively. This order makes it clearer who holds that role for many institutions.
• Updating titles and removing outdated entries reduces confusion for people trying to find the right official to contact or to understand why a particular office is responsible for a record.
• The delay before it takes effect (the 30th day after being made) gives institutions time to adjust their internal systems and public information.