Premier Eby’s government claims to be increasing transparency but is using a paywall to prevent release of information he admits is in the public interest.  In response to an FOI request filed by the Freedom of Information and Privacy Association, the Government of British Columbia has moved to place key documents related to the release […]

FIPA will always maintain and recognize that timeliness is a core performance measure in freedom of information. Access delayed is access denied.  We also feel the need to avoid the insanity of repeating the same actions and expecting different results. Timeliness is not the only factor.  Our fundamental question: How do we evaluate the performance […]

For the past 30 years. FIPA’s advocacy has focused on the timeliness of the freedom of information process. We have been informed by the belief that access delayed is access denied. Unfortunately, little has changed or improved. Governments fail to meet deadlines, civil society and users complain, the next verse is the same as the […]

ETHI is short for the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. This Committee has been holding meetings on the Access to Information and Privacy System. President Mike Larsen presented FIPAs perspective on these important topics. Tuesday, April 18, 2023 Ken Rubin, David Matas and Mike Larsen made statements and, with Michael Wenig answered […]

In the case of Attorney General for Ontario v. Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, et al. File No. 40078 FIPA was pleased to work with Sean Hearn K.C. to intervene and fight to keep the public interest paramount. You might be surprised to learn Provincial governments in British Columbia and Alberta were fighting to […]

We’ve built a Privacy Management Program Training Certificate focused on helping the smallest of organizations move towards better privacy practice.   FIPA’s education program has always focused on ensuring people have access to the materials they need to make informed decisions about access and privacy rights.  People working in public bodies and the private sector need to […]

There’s a lot going on that impacts access to information and privacy. Our law reform efforts are built upon the foundation of our research, education and assistance work in these areas. To keep us current, accurate, and relevant we’ve developed a repeatable system of legal reviews and annual content updates.   Last fall we relaunched our […]

The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) has been made aware of troubling requirements being imposed by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affair Canada (CIRNAC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) on First Nations researchers applying for access to those departments’ records for the purposes of validating historical claims against the federal government.   FIPA supports […]

If you have ever sought out the access to information or privacy news stories in the current Canadian news cycle in one spot, we know there are some barriers. We’re working to address some of those.  Our goal is to walk the talk, if we redistribute or publish news stories, we want to recognize the […]

FIPA was pleased to be asked to present and provide our expertise and anecdotes at a recent webinar coordinated by the People’s Law School. It was a wonderful well organized event with hundreds of attendees that we were glad to contribute to. FIPA Executive Director Jason Woywada and President Mike Larsen  joined Lawyers Daniel Reid and Keri Bennett to, […]

Victoria, January 25, 2023 – Polling results released during Data Privacy Week reveal British Columbians’ views on freedom of information and privacy. “The public continues to see that a fee to file a request for information is unnecessary, and that legislative timelines should be met,” said BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) Executive […]

Investigation Report 23-01: Access application fee six-month review While the review revealed mixed findings we were glad to have input and impact through our submission and pleased to see the report recognizes the fundamental barrier to access that the fees create. We look forward to prompt action by the Government to act upon these recommendations […]