In my view, the record is also not an appropriate document for severing. The records in dispute are two letters between the City and a Prince George law firm in 1994 and 1997 respectively. The information severed by the City concerns confidential communications between it and its solicitor for the purpose of obtaining legal advice. On the basis of my own review of these records, I can confirm that they have this particular character, and that the City was within its authority under the Act to choose to withhold the records. In addition, I see no reason to invite the City to reconsider its use of its discretion not to release this record.
Severance is therefore inappropriate.
The applicant submits that the City did not conduct an adequate search for records responsive to his request, since it did not provide all of the records in its possession or under its control. He refers in particular to two letters submitted on his behalf to the City in January 1997 and to the lack of evidence of the Council's instructions to set up a meeting with respect to the issues raised in the applicant's correspondence with the City. The City's specific submission is that its response to or dealings with the two letters were outside the time frame of the applicant's request. Accordingly, the City's response would not include a record of these items being received or dealt with by Mayor and Council. In addition, the record that would indicate the City's instructions were excepted from disclosure under the Act.