Nobody likes going public with embarrassing reports, but the B.C. government has conjured some of its most creative legal analyses yet in an attempt to keep less flattering information out of the public realm. The B.C. government has refused to post both the McNeil report, which examines the mysterious Ministry of Health data breach firings, […]

It took two years, but the records requested by FIPA in 2012 regarding contracts and other records related to the mysterious Ministry of Health data breach case have finally been released and are posted on our website. FIPA had requested the following information: Data sharing and other agreements involving the Ministry and four named individuals; […]

When the Senate passed Bill S-4, known as the Digital Privacy Act, in 2014, it was not without criticism. The bill’s stated objective was to protect online privacy, but critics warned that it may facilitate access to subscriber data held by internet service providers. Despite a Supreme Court ruling requiring police to obtain warrants to […]

FIPA’s bulletin has a new look. Download the full May 2015 bulletin here or click on individual articles below. In this issue: The Connected Car: Who is in the driver’s seat? FIPA’s AGM on May 13th: With guest speaker Carmen Cheung on Bill C-51 Bill C-51: An attack on privacy B.C. Election Act court challenge […]

The final vote on Bill C-51 is expected early next week, and the Conservative majority is expected to pass the legislation. Here’s a quick way to get informed: Learn more about the negative impacts of Bill C-51 by downloading Open Media’s new guide, Bill C-51 – A Primer (PDF) Read FIPA’s Bulletin article on Bill […]

Bill C-51 continues its high speed trip through Parliament, rocketing through the Commons and now being rushed through the Senate. This bill has generated a level of controversy since its introduction in parliament, reminiscent of the outrage that accompanied the much-despised online spying bill brought in by former Public Safety minister Vic Toews. The government’s […]

PRESS RELEASE April 23, 2015 BC Court of Appeal splits on Election Act third party spending FIPA calls on BC government to fix Election Act third party advertising provisions VANCOUVER, April 23, 2015 – In a 2-1 ruling handed down this morning, the BC Court of Appeal has upheld an earlier decision which found that […]

Are you a FIPA member? Are you interested in becoming a FIPA member? Or are you interested in learning more about FIPA’s work and connecting with the Freedom of Information and Privacy community in BC? Join us for the 2015 FIPA AGM at the Vancouver Public Library on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. This year’s guest […]

On March 31, the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada tabled a report in parliament on Canada’s Access to Information Act. The report puts forward 85 recommendations to update the Act so that it better serves Canadians. FIPA signed the following joint letter calling on the Canadian government to review and update the Act, […]

FIPA prepared a submission on Bill C-51 to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, asking the committee to withdraw the bill. Our submission is attached and below. INTRODUCTION FIPA is a non-partisan, non-profit society that was established in 1991 to promote and defend freedom of information and privacy rights in Canada. Our […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2015 Privacy organization says now is the time to act to protect private information collected and shared by in-vehicle computer systems  VANCOUVER— The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) has released a year-long study on privacy, consumer choice and onboard vehicle technology. The Connected Car: Who is in […]

For more than twenty years, the B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association has relied on the support of our community to provide resources, educational programming, and one-on-one advice. By making a contribution to the Association in exchange for this resource, you’re helping us provide another two decades of service to Canadians and supporting more […]