In this issue: Big Wins, New Challenges: 2012 in Transparency A new year means new ways to support FIPA Privacy advocates raise red flags over C-12 surveillance measures New parliamentary study tackles big data, social media, and privacy Information Commissioner looks to overhaul Access to Information Act BC Commish tries to limit license plate surveillance […]

BC FIPA has sent its submission to the Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics on the impacts of social media and ‘Big Data’ on privacy and the rights of citizens and the policy considerations that should be explored by the Committee in the context of amendments to the Personal Information Protection and Protection […]

In a report released last week, B.C.’s Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham took a stiff shot at the use of Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology by the Victoria Police Department. Valuable as Denham’s efforts are, however, it will likely take more than her work alone to bring this ever-expanding surveillance system back in […]

FIPA is pleased to join an outstanding roster of civil society, advocacy, and media organizations at Media Democracy Days 2012, one of this year’s Info Summit community partners. Since 2001, MDD has brought artists, activist, academics, students, researchers, journalists, and citizens together in dialogue on issues of representation, information policy, and technology. This year’s gathering […]

In this issue: 2012 BC Informatiion Summit tackles “Government 2.0” Just Rewards: Darrell Evans awarded Grace-Pépin Access to Information Award OIPC to investigate government’s failure to post FOI requests after FIPA complaint BC election law still has constitutional problems despite BC Court of Appeal ruling Lock Down: wall of secrecy around Ministry of Health privacy […]

The ink was barely dry on the federal government’s new copyright reform bill when they signed on to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a controversial new trade agreement that could toss that piece of legislation under the bus, along with the minimal protections it provided to Canadians who use intellectual property. That’s just one reason why […]

FIPA is calling on Premier Christy Clark to call back the Legislature to amend election legislation the BC Court of Appeal has just declared unconstitutional. The government made a number of changes to the Election Act during the spring sitting, and then referred those changes to the Court of Appeal for an opinion on their […]

FIPA’s founding Executive Director and former President Darrell Evans was honoured with the Grace-Pepin Access to Information award at Wednesday’s BC Information Summit. Presented to Mr. Evans by Canada’s Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault and BC Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, the Grace-Pepin award recognizes Darrell’s life-long commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability and […]

FIPA is excited that the 2012 BC Information is now mere days away. Join us Wednesday, September 19th at UBC Robson Square for what is certain to be an exciting and engaging day of discussion. This year, we’re proud to host an outstanding team of speakers and contributors including: -BC Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth […]

With controversy swirling around the Integrated Case Management system, and with the introduction of the “Smart CareCard” just around the corner, the upcoming BC Information Summit promises to be a timely examination of how information management is changing throughout this province. Our final conference lineup is now confirmed and we’re excited to announce some fantastic […]

BC FIPA filed an Intervener Factum on August 15, 2012 in the Reference concerning the constitutionality of amendments to provisions of in the Election Act, RSBC 1996, c. 106 regarding election advertising by third parties. BC FIPA argues that there should be a minimum spending threshold to trigger provisions in the Act requiring third parties […]

Following a scathing statement from the Representative for Children and Youth, and with the Privacy Commissioner and Auditor General also looking at the situation, several non-profit groups and privacy advocates have written to Premier Christy Clark seeking a public inquiry into the $200 million Integrated Case Management (ICM) project. The letter to the Premier is […]