BC FIPA, today, submitted a letter to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development in the context of its consultation on local government election reform. BC FIPA strongly opposes provisions on third party spending limits and believes the lack of a minimum spending threshold in the provisions makes them unconstitutional violations of freedom of […]

The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association is extremely pleased to announce the official release of our brand new educational resource: Access in the Academy: Bringing ATI and FOI to academic research. The text is now available for download by donation through our website here. We also have a limited number of print copies […]

Have you ever read a news story that began, ‘according to documents obtained through Freedom of Information’ and wondered how you might do the same? Have you come across a government document and wondered what went on behind the scenes before it was made public? Are you eager to get past the official government messaging […]

BC FIPA has responded to the Federal Government consultation on the Open Government Partnership commitments with a highly critical examination of the government’s approach. Lack of transparency is a serious issue in this country, and not just for this government. However, the Government of Canada labours under the most archaic Access to Information law, and […]

What is the BC Services Card? It’s an ID card that combines both the drivers license and the provincial health care card.   Is that all it does? Doesn’t sound too scary to me. Right now that is all it does. However, it is a key part of the ‘Government 2.0’ plan, which will link […]

BC FIPA’s intervener’s factum in SCC 34828 (case docket at SCC website).  BC FIPA takes the position that greater deference to the adjudicative tribunal should have been taken by the lower court and that “access to information legislation, such as in Ontario and British Columbia, fulfils a particularly critical role in nourishing our democracy. It creates […]

In a report released earlier today, B.C.’s Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham finally opens the door on last year’s data breach at the Ministry of Health and finds “a number of weaknesses in Ministry controls over personal information.” Denham’s report doesn’t mince words. During her investigation, she found “a complete lack of monitoring, enforcement […]

In anticipation of the 2013 academic year, the B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association, with the generous support of the Law Foundation of British Columbia, is excited to announce the upcoming release of Access in the Academy: Bringing ATI and FOI to Academic Research, available for download starting July 25th. Compiled by Mike Larsen, […]

In this issue: BC Election: It’s time to double down on info rights BC Election Act causes confusion, chills free speech — again Major data security issues bedevil the Federal Government A National ID Card by Stealth? Fighting for a fair deal: FIPA continues to oppose Trans-Pacific Partnership FIPA is hiring! Join the team Access […]

The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association has joined together with civil liberties, pro-democracy, privacy, and open internet advocacy groups across the country to demand answers and immediate action from the government after it was revealed that a secretive government agency has been spying on the telephone and Internet activities of individuals, including law-abiding […]

After four weeks of heated campaigning, the 2013 provincial election is finally over. The voters of B.C. have chosen a new Liberal majority government under Christy Clark to lead the province for the next four years. The coming weeks will see a new cabinet appointed, staff shuffled and (at least the possibility of) new faces […]

For more than twenty years, FIPA has been an instrumental part of B.C.’s civil society community. Apply 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 Location:Vancouver/Lower Mainland, B.C. Minimum Required Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant […]