Section 56 - Powers of Commissioner in conducting investigations or inquiries

56(1) In conducting an investigation under section 53(1)(a) or an inquiry under section 69 or 74.5 or in giving advice and recommendations under section 54, the Commissioner has all the powers, privileges and immunities of a commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act and the powers given by subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The Commissioner may require any record to be produced to the Commissioner and may examine any information in a record, including personal information whether or not the record is subject to the provisions of this Act.

(3) Despite any other enactment or any privilege of the law of evidence, a public body must produce to the Commissioner within 10 days any record or a copy of any record required under subsection (1) or (2).

(4) If a public body is required to produce a record under subsection (1) or (2) and it is not practicable to make a copy of the record, the head of that public body may require the Commissioner to examine the original at its site.

(5) After completing a review or investigating a complaint, the Commissioner must return any record or any copy of any record produced.

RSA 2000 cF-25 s56;2003 c21 s14