Privy Council Office: The assessment of the extreme tail risk described by the Prime MinisterWaiver refused without reasons
26 Sept 2026 · Access to Information Act · A-2026-00642
29 Sept: fee waiver refused without reasons. Complaint to the Information Commissioner the same day.
Request under the Access to Information Act — the assessment of extreme tail risk described by the Prime Minister on 23 September 2026, and whether it covers nuclear attack on Canada — with a request for a fee waiver under subsection 11(2)
Hello,
I make this request under section 6 of the Access to Information Act. I am a person present in Canada. Subsection 4(1) of the Act, as extended by the Access to Information Act Extension Order, No. 1, entitles me to make it.
CONTEXT.
On 23 September 2026 the Prime Minister told the New York Times that he had prepared for the "extreme tail risk" that the United States might order military action against Canada. CBC News reported the interview on 25 September 2026. The Privy Council Office is the Prime Minister's department and houses the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister.
RECORDS REQUESTED.
Period: 1 January 2025 to the date this request is received.
1. Records that assess the risk of military action against Canada by any state, including the assessment the Prime Minister described on 23 September 2026.
2. Records that assess the risk of nuclear attack on Canada, or that consider whether that risk has been identified by any minister under subsection 6(1) of the Emergency Management Act.
3. Records that assess the reliability of any assurance by an allied state to defend Canada against nuclear attack. This includes any record that considers that assurance in a scenario of the kind described in item 1.
4. Where no record exists for an item, a statement to that effect for that item, naming the officer who conducted the search. The duty to assist in subsection 4(2.1) of the Act requires it.
SUBSECTION 10(2).
The Prime Minister stated in public on 23 September 2026 that he had prepared for the risk in item 1. A refusal under subsection 10(2) to confirm or deny that records of that preparation exist would contradict the Prime Minister. Such a refusal goes to the Information Commissioner on the day it is received.
FEE.
Waive the application fee under subsection 11(2). The records concern whether the Government has assessed the defence of Canada against nuclear attack. Every record released will be published in full at https://dzyuban.com/legal/record/requests/. If the fee is not waived, give the decision under subsection 11(2) in writing, with reasons and the name and title of the officer who made it.
DELIVERY.
By email, to this address. Confirm receipt with the file number and the date of receipt under section 7.
Respectfully,
Danilo Dzyuban