Originally published in the Times Colonist, March 8 2015 In January, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the audience at the campaign-style announcement of Bill C-51, the Anti-terrorism Act, that “the international jihadist movement has declared war on Canada.” As the broad definitions of “terrorism,” unclear purposes, lack of oversight and the other many disturbing aspects […]

The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association is continuing its battle to protect freedom of expression during elections in this province. The latest round in FIPA’s Charter challenge to the BC Election Act was heard by the BC Court of Appeal on Friday, February 13, 2015. Links to court documents in this case can […]

By Stefania Seccia Sunday, February 15, 2015 Freedom of speech is at stake during provincial and municipal campaigns, according to a Vancouver-based advocacy group that’s taken the issue to the province’s top court. The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association was in court Friday appealing a decision last year that denied the advocacy group’s […]

To read FIPA’s factum, click here To read FIPA’s reply factum, click here To read the factum of the respondent (the Attorney General of BC), click here To read the BC Civil Liberties Association’s (BCCLA) intervenor factum, click here

The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association has requested that Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham conduct an investigation into a new BC government policy of not posting embarrassing reports. In a letter to the Commissioner, BC FIPA cited the government’s refusal to post either the McNeil report into the mysterious Ministry of Health […]

Download letter now Complaint letter to Commissioner Denham re BC government refusing to post reports.  

NEWS RELEASE December 15, 2014 FIPA finally gets Ministry of Health records after two year battle   VANCOUVER, December 15, 2014—The records requested by the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association in 2012 regarding contracts and other records related to the mysterious Ministry of Health data breach case have finally been released. They are […]

In response to OIPC order F14-45, the release of all data sharing and other agreements between January 1, 2011 and August 2, 2012 involving MoH and Rebecca Warburton, William Warburton, Malcolm Maclure and Colin Dormuth; all correspondence between these individuals and the Ministry related to these agreements, particularly discussions of delays or other impediments to access to data for research […]

Originally posted in Huffington Post The federal Access to Information system has been in crisis for a number of years, and last week the crisis deepened. Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault told the Commons Access to Information, Ethics and Privacy committee (ETHI) that the number of complaints her office receives from people being denied access to […]

For more than twenty years, FIPA has been an instrumental part of B.C.’s civil society. Apply now to join our team as our new Program Director. Here are the details on the position, and how to apply: Position: Program Director Position Type: Full-Time Salary: $37,500- 40,000/year (dependant on experience) Location: Vancouver/Lower Mainland, B.C. Minimum Required Experience: Bachelor’s […]

As we approach the end of 2014, it’s time for our annual check-in on the progress that’s been made for our information rights. It’s been a busy year for Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, who has made a number of suggestions for important amendments to improve access and privacy laws in this province. Sadly, […]

Our online privacy rights are coming under intense scrutiny this month, as two bills threaten to expand the ability of law enforcement agencies (and others!) to access our personal information without a warrant. The highly unpopular C-13 is currently making its way through the Senate, and facing fierce opposition. Meanwhile Bill S-4, the Digital Privacy […]