The all-party Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the “Committee”) is holding open, public consultations.
Our initial summary of core issues can be found here.
The Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) hopes those of you that are making submissions before the Committee will consider these issues. Your real-world examples can give life to the problems and solutions and can help to make them real to the Committee members. That could include:
Receiving “no responsive records” to a freedom of information (FOI) request that you believe should have yielded responsive records;
Receiving an over-redacted document in response to an FOI request;
Describing the impact that the application fee for FOI requests will have on you and/or your organization;
Highlighting a time when you requested information from an entity carrying out a governmental function but was told the entity in question is not subject to FIPPA.
Make your voice heard.
The public may voice their opinions about the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) in the following ways:
orally at the public hearings in March 2022;
by written, video, or audio submissions; and
by any further opportunities, the Committee sees fit to announce here.
After the public consultation, the Committee must issue its report and any recommendations by June 15, 2022.
Public Hearings
The deadline to register to present before the Committee has passed. FIPA is scheduled to present our verbal submission on Friday, March 11, 2022. Both our verbal and written presentations build off of our summary and will be available on our website.
Written, Video, or Audio Submissions
Although the deadline to register to present has passed, the Committee is accepting written, audio, or video submissions via the Committee’s website www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/foi until 3:00 p.m. (Pacific) on March 31, 2022.
These submissions may contain the same information that could have been provided during the public hearings.
Committee Submission Considerations
The Clerk of the Committee asks that the following be considered when you make a submission.
Provide a brief summary of the issue.
Clearly identify any aspects of the Act that are relevant to your presentation, and provide the specific section reference(s), if applicable.
Clearly identify your recommendation(s) to improve the Act.
Provide information about your organization’s background, if applicable.
