Thank you.
I would like to start by providing background on a file that was investigated by the Information Commissioner. The investigation is based on a single access to information request received on March 27, 2012, for access to the RCMP database regarding the gun registry. The RCMP had provided the requester with an estimate of the processing costs associated with his request. The requester disputed this estimated fee and lodged a complaint.
To resolve the complaint the RCMP worked with the Office of the Information Commissioner to find a solution that would meet the nature of the request. Based on these discussions, the RCMP provided him with a copy of previous access to information requests that met the parameters. He received over 8 million rows of registration data that included the 12 fields described earlier, as well as four additional fields. To add more context, if we were to print this package it would be approximately 171,000 pages long.
During Ms. Legault's investigation, the RCMP met with investigators from the Office of the Information Commissioner on many occasions, provided all requested documentation related to the request that was the basis of the investigation, and arranged many information sessions on the Canadian Firearms Information System.
We maintain the position that in all aspects of this file, the RCMP fulfilled its obligations pursuant to the Access to Information Act and provided the requester with information to which he was entitled. We did so while also fulfilling our obligations to meet the requirements set out in the Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act.
In conclusion, the RCMP is very aware of the great deal of sensitivity and interest surrounding the destruction of non-restricted firearms registration data.
I should note that as we're dealing with this complaint from Madame Legault, we are also dealing with a complaint from the Privacy Commissioner to the effect that we did not delete the registry. So we do understand the sensitivity.
I will conclude with that.