President named ATIA head, FedDev Ontario

Summary#

This order amends the Access to Information Act Heads of Government Institutions Designation Order to add the head of a federal regional development agency. It names the President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario as a designated head for access-to-information purposes. The change took effect on August 12, 2021.

What it does#

• Adds this entry to the designation list:
  • Item 40.1 — Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario / President.
• Brings that change into force on August 12, 2021.

Who's affected#

• People or organizations who make access-to-information requests about records held by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
• The agency itself and its senior management, because the President is now the formal "head" named for access-to-information decisions.
• It is not clear from the order that any other groups or programs are affected.

Why it matters#

• Naming the President as the official head means that person is the formal decision-maker and point of legal responsibility for access-to-information requests about the agency.
• For requesters, it clarifies who is responsible for handling and deciding on records from that agency.
• For the agency, it aligns its access-to-information structure with other federal institutions.