N.L. privacy commissioner backs Justice Department on wildfire records request

Newfoundland and Labrador's Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has released Report A-2026-033, concluding that the Department of Justice and Public Safety did not have custody or control of records requested about the Conception Bay North Wildfires. The report, dated October 9, 2026, was released under the authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015.¹

The complainant asked the department for records related to the wildfires. The department provided no records, stating they were not in its custody or control. The complainant was not satisfied and filed a complaint with the commissioner's office.¹

The commissioner concluded the department did not have custody or control of the requested records and recommended that the department maintain its position. The office said a summary of the report is included in the release, with the full report available through its website.¹