For the sixth time since 2001, BC’s Liberal government has introduced amendments to the province’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP Act) without making much-needed improvements in public access to information. The BC government introduced Bill 25 on April 19 claiming that it “…will strengthen B.C.’s Freedom of Information and Protection of […]

The Campaign for Open Government is conducting research into the experiences of individuals who have used British Columbia’s Freedom of Information act over a period of time to request general (not personal) information and records. FOI requesters, please take the time to contribute your unique experience with FOI requests. Survey results will be used to […]

By Irwin Loy 24 HOURS A prominent environmental advocacy group is claiming victory in a four-year battle to make B.C.’s Ministry of Environment cough up data on industry pollution. The office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has ruled the ministry as “unreasonable” in demanding a $173,000 fee to gather the information. Sierra Legal had […]

B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis has begun a preliminary investigation into whether the health ministry “abused” provincial Freedom of information legislation. On February 9, Loukidelis wrote to the ministry’s director of corporate information, privacy and records, asking for an uncensored copy of a resignation letter written by former Fraser Health Authority chairman Keith […]

The Campaign for Open Government has released a list of the top 10 stories broken in BC during 2006 through the use of the Freedom of Information act. Information obtained through FOI requests in 2006 threw public light on environmental disasters, threats to public health and safety, official misconduct and corruption, bungled government programs, and […]

Weekly privacy news briefs from around the world – 2006: Privacy News Highlights – 10 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 19 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 26 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 2 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 9 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 16 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights […]

The BC government’s handling of a recent Freedom of Information request from the NDP has laid bare the “culture of denial” rampant among government decision-makers. Information mistakenly released to the NDP reveals hand-written advice by a top political aide to Solicitor General John Les, which suggests severing politically-sensitive information from the requested documents on the […]

FIPA President Richard Rosenberg testifies today before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, which has begun a mandatory review of Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). The PIPEDA regulates how private sector organizations deal with Canadians’ personal information. FIPA is advocating major reforms to the […]

BC FIPA and the BCCLA have made submissions regarding the statutory review of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI). This submission highlights a number of issues which must be addressed in order to ensure that the privacy […]

BC’s Campaign for Open Government has released the first group of signatories to its “Declaration by the Friends of FOI.” Included in the list are such notable British Columbians as Dr. David Suzuki, political commentators Rafe Mair and Gordon Gibson, and Mel Rothenburger, editor of the Kamloops Daily News. Prof. Alasdair Roberts, the world’s leading […]

A broad-based coalition which includes FIPA, the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation, BC Civil Liberties Association and many other groups, has launched a campaign to ensure BC’s government fulfills its long-overdue promise to be a Canadian leader in openness and accountability. The Campaign for Open Government http://www.opengovernment.ca is focusing on the Province’s poor record of response to […]

A group of international data and privacy protection commissioners has decided to act together to challenge the surveillance society which they claim is developing. Commissioners from the UK, France, Germany and New Zealand will adopt common policies. At the annual Conference of Data Protection and Information Commissioners, held last week in London, a joint set […]