BC FIPA has published a list of key recommendations for reform to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act). FIPA calls for a number of improvements: reinforcing the ‘public interest’ provision under s. 25; limiting what the government can do without consent; increasing the responsibility of public bodies to respond fully […]

FIPA has submitted comments on the federal government’s Lawful Access Consultation Document to the Department of Justice, Industry Canada, and the Solicitor General today. The federal government initiated consultations earlier this year and BC FIPA hosted two workshops on the Lawful Access proposals and received input from over 45 groups and individuals that have helped […]

Vancouver – Public interest groups across Canada are uniting to support the Privacy Commissioner’s fight against government programs that are excessively eroding privacy rights in the name of security. Heading the list of programs opposed is the massive new surveillance database created by the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) to monitor Canadians and other […]

We are writing to give you the comments of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) on the ongoing process of reform of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIPP Act”).

Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services released a draft of the proposed Community Charter on May 28, 2002. At the time the Minister invited submissions by “all groups and individuals who wish to do so.” Today FIPA presented its submission to the Minister which is critical of several aspects of the Draft. [A] declared […]

BC FIPA has made submission to the Minister of Management Services, the Hon. Sandy Santori, regarding the ongoing process of reform of BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA” or “the Act”). Our submission comments on the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2002; our recommendations for additional amendments […]

The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) is calling on the federal government to extend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act to a long list of quasi-governmental bodies it has created over the past decade. These bodies create public policy, spend billions of dollars of public money, and in some […]

BC FIPA has sent a letter to Senator Nicholas W. Taylor, Chair of the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources regarding the creation of a quasi-governmental body if Bill C-27 is enacted. BC FIPA is concerned that this body has significant power over decisions that affect the public, responsibility for enormous spending […]

BC FIPA believes the issue of HEALTH INFORMATION PRIVACY as the most significant privacy issue of our time. This presentation outlines the importance of the right to privacy and the threats that “Health Info-structure” represents. Provincial governments appear to believe that the diminution of privacy rights is essential to the creation of the “Canadian Health […]

BC FIPA has published a Declaration of Medial Privacy Rights in light of the push towards electronic health records and electronic information management systems. Declaration of Medical Privacy Rights The Right to Privacy is a human right and is fundamental to my dignity as a human being. My right to privacy extends to all my […]

The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association sent an open letter today to Premier Gordon Campbell urging him to honor his committment to “open government” by rejecting a Finance Committee recommendation to cut 35 per cent from the budget of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. On December 19th, the Legislature’s Finance Committee recommended drastic […]

Attend Western Canada’s most important training conference on privacy legislation in the private sector and health care sector, “Understanding Privacy: New Laws, New Challenges.” March 11 & 12, 2002 at the Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, B.C