I will try to answer this question, Mr. Chair.
From 2005 to 2008, the Information Commissioner carried out an investigation after having received a complaint from the Book and Periodical Council. After this investigation, we concluded that some departments were prioritizing complaints considered highly visible or sensitive--a red or amber light. There were several levels of priority. We were able to establish that there was no specific or negative priority given to the media but that there was indeed some priority given to other groups, among them parliamentarians. Our recommendation was that even if, for communication purposes, the institutions have to identify the requests, they have to make sure that this would not lead to additional delays.
In a follow-up to this investigation that we did last year, we found that only Health Canada stated that there were still some additional delays related to the identification of some requests. This year, through those report cards, Health Canada stated emphatically that there have been no additional delays anymore since November 2009.
I hope this answers your question.