How to use the completed access to information requests database

Before making an access to information (ATI) request, look through previously completed requests. This page will help you search what has already been made available.

On this page

Before you start

Follow the steps in the next section to gather information such as:

  • ATI request number
  • Item ID number
  • RG (records group), volume or file number
  • File title

Places to look

Use our Completed access to information requests database to search and download the release packages of some ATI requests for archival records.

Search the database using an ATI request number

If you have an ATI request number from Open Government and the records have been released by Library and Archives Canada (all disclosed or disclosed in part), you might be able to download them from LAC’s ATI database. You can copy and paste the request number in the search bar of the database.

Search the database using information contained in the archival reference

Use Collection Search to gather information about records of interest. Insert relevant information found in Collection Search (item ID number, RG, file or volume number, file title, etc.) in the search bar of the ATI database. Make sure you follow the search tips below.

You can also search the database for a specific keyword. It will return results from both record titles and document bodies.

General tips

  • Search results will appear directly below the search bar.
  • Twenty-five results appear per page. Subsequent results can be viewed by increasing the number of items per page below the search bar.
    • You can also click on the Next button or enter a specific page number at the bottom of the page.
    • You can adjust the number of results listed on each page from 25 to 50 or 100 and then clicking the Apply button.
  • Once you click on a specific request, you can browse through the search results using the Previous and Next buttons.

Search tips

  • If you are searching for a request number, use the same format as Open Government (For example: A-2016-00512).
  • Since item ID numbers from Collection Search are unique, they are a good way to get search results. Simply enter the item ID number in the search bar with no extra text (For example: 4801550).
  • If you are looking for a specific RG (record group), use this format: RG25, RG16, etc. Do not enter any hyphens or spaces.
  • If you are looking for a specific file or volume number, simply enter the number in the search bar (For example: ARC-3/1797-12). Do not include extra text related to the category.
  • If you are searching for a specific keyword, the tool will only return results in the language you searched in (For example, a search for the keyword Army will not return results that include Armée). To view all the available results, do a search in each official language.

Access the records

If you find an ATI request of interest in your search, you can click on it to view the details page. From there, you can select and download the release packages available.

From there, you can view the documents in the integrated viewer and use tools such as zoom or full-screen mode for easier navigation. In the Contents section on the left, you can click on Details to view information about the selected thumbnail. Additionally, you can search for specific keywords within the document using the magnifier tool or the CTRL-F function, depending on your browser.

You also have the option to select and download the documents in the Release package details section below the viewer.

This database will be updated regularly. We are actively working to make more documents available to you and improving search functionalities. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can:

Start your search

Related links