Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 28th. This week, Ontario’s government is moving to shield political records from access-to-information laws and it has set up a direct clash with the province’s independent privacy commissioner.  At the federal level, a new bill aimed at protecting Canada’s electoral system is raising early questions — including whether privacy concerns are addressed.   […]

March 23, 2026 – BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) welcomes the opportunity to support the People’s Consultation on AI. Focusing on FIPA’s core policy concerns addressing a range of risks and opportunities, Ryan Rutley drafted the following submission to the Consultation.  Since ChatGPT was opened to the public in November 2022, technologies based on – or […]

Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 21st. This week, we begin with a troubling pattern that has been unfolding across Canada.  What started in British Columbia with Bill 9 is now being echoed elsewhere: governments and political actors chipping away at access-to-information and privacy rights while describing those changes as modernization, […]

Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 14th. It’s another busy week across Canada’s privacy and transparency landscape.  We’re tracking a major privacy investigation into Loblaw’s PC Optimum program, new conditions allowing TikTok to keep operating in Canada, and growing concerns about facial recognition and workplace AI surveillance.  And on the transparency front, Canada’s Information Commissioner is warning that […]

Victoria March 13, 2026 –  The first few months of 2026 have been a kind of slow-motion horror movie for freedom of information and the public’s right to know in Canada.   On February 26, the BC Government introduced Bill 9, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act. The Act, touted as a much-needed update to […]

Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 7th. At the time of posting, Bill C-4 has moved back to the House of Commons with amendments. It is not too late to make your voice heard and for the majority Members of Parliament to do the right thing and put people before their party. We’ll bring you more next […]

Here are a few items you can use to make sure people know what is taking place. If you have something for us to add drop us a line. Our C-4 Mailer Help Stop Bill C-4 Part 4  Members of Parliament are putting their political interests ahead of your rights.  Democracy depends on open dialogue. That requires you to […]

The BC Government introduced Bill 9 – The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act – on February 26. FIPA’s initial response to the bill outlined a number of serious concerns. These concerns are attached to some unanswered questions about Bill 9. FIPA cannot jump into the meetings of the BC Legislature to pose these questions, but we can share them and […]

After working with MPs, Senators and partners in civil society including: The Centre for Digital Rights, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Open Media an electronic petition is now available. Add your name and send a message to MPs that federal political parties need to respect your personal information. You can sign the petition on the […]

Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, February 28th. At the time of posting, Bill C-4 has moved back to the House of Commons with amendments. It is not too late to make your voice heard and for the majority Members of Parliament to do the right thing and put people before their party. We’ll bring you more next […]

Victoria 2026.02.26 – The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) is raising serious concerns about Bill 9, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026, warning that it weakens access rights at a time when government has failed to meaningfully implement its own recordkeeping law, and that it fails to address […]

Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, February 21st. This week, the Senate delivers a significant report on Bill C-4, Part 4, with a majority of committee members warning that the proposed political party privacy regime falls far short of minimum standards — and recommending that it be removed, severed, or sunset.  We’re also tracking how access-to-information […]