Report A-2024-047, released by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner on October 21, 2024, ruled that Memorial University conducted a reasonable search for the email records sent by a senior University official (the Chair of the Board of Regents) that was the subject of an access-to-information request.
The Commissioner also concluded that the explanation for failing to locate any records was reasonable and that there was insufficient evidence to conclude an offence had been committed. However, The Commissioner recommended that Memorial create a clear and enforceable policy requiring all employees and officials to use a Memorial University email account, not a personal email account, for University business.
The Commissioner found that Memorial was aware that officials were using their personal email accounts rather than the @mun.ca accounts provided and regularly communicated with several officials using their personal email accounts. The Commissioner stated, “Memorial should have recognized that this was inappropriate and taken steps to develop a policy to eliminate this practice.”
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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