Looking back at a year of positive change, we are proud of the work we’ve done to further BC’s and Canada’s information and privacy rights landscape. The 2019 report reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening FIPA’s position within the information and privacy rights field through legal research, law reform, public legal education, and advocacy and […]

BC FIPA, CCLA, BCCLA, CIPPIC, ICLMG, and OpenMedia are calling for more research and analysis prior to the release of new federally approved contact tracing app VANCOUVER, June 24, 2020 – On June 18, 2020 the federal government announced that a contact tracing app, “COVID Alert” will be available for Ontarians in July. The app […]

BC FIPA recommends key changes to BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) VANCOUVER, June 10, 2020 – During the Special Committee’s public consultations to review PIPA, BC Freedom of Information and Privacy (FIPA) presented several key recommendations.  Compared to other provincial and the federal privacy legislation, BC’s PIPA has had no substantive amendments in the last 17 years. Presently, more than ever, personal information is being collected […]

FIPA-sponsored poll shows BC wants key reforms to privacy laws   VANCOUVER, June 4, 2020 – Polling results released today indicate that British Columbians want increased public education and enhanced protections to their privacy rights, among other key reforms to privacy laws.   The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) commissioned an Ipsos poll, a leading independent market research company, on public opinion […]

Register now to join us online! Join us at BC FIPA’s 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM)! We will be presenting the highlights from our work over the previous year, and discuss key priorities for the upcoming months, in addition to conducting regular AGM business. FIPA President, Mike Larsen, has outlined some of our milestones in […]

Stanley Tromp has updated his 2008 book, Fallen Behind: Canada’s Access to Information Act in the World Context. From Stanley Tromp: The first edition of this book in 2008 detailed how Canada’s Access to Information Act had fallen behind the rest of the world’s FOI laws. Since then, the problem has only grown far worse […]

BC FIPA, along with other civil society groups, has signed on to Open Media’s joint letter calling for measures to be put in place to ensure Canadians’ right to privacy is protected, and not undermined after the crisis is over. Specifically, we are asking for a clear message from the provincial and federal governments stating […]

BC FIPA, in partnership with the Vancouver Design Nerds, held a two-day design jam in Ottawa March 5th and 6th. The purpose of this event was to explore issues around meaningful consent in the context of everyday life ranging from personal wearable technologies to smart homes and smart cities and their relationship to big data. […]

MEDIA RELEASEMarch 30, 2020 Ministry of Citizens’ Services relaxes restrictions on the use of third-party tools and applications to disclose personal information inside or outside of Canada VANCOUVER, March 30, 2020 – In the time of a global emergency, the protection of privacy and access to information rights needs to be kept at the forefront of […]

Vancouver, February 24, 2020 – On February 18, 2020 the Legislative Assembly agreed that a Special Committee be appointed to review the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). PIPA deals with the collection, retention, use, and disclosure of personal information by private sector and nonprofit entities. The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (BC FIPA) […]

This is the third in our series on the privacy promises we can expect from a Liberal minority government. Information about the Right to Erasure is from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s ‘Digital Charter: Trust in a digital world’, and the Liberal Party of Canada’s election 2019 platform document, ‘Forward: A real plan for the middle […]

Vancouver, February 12, 2020 – The beginning of BC FIPA’s fourth decade is an exciting time for the organization as we welcome Jason Woywada as the new Executive Director. After an extensive search process, the hiring committee was pleased to offer the position to Jason for his unique combination of skills, knowledge, and experience. “Amongst […]