BC FIPA sent its submission for the Customer Name and Address Information Consultation to Public Safety Canada today. FIPA outlines three main concerns with the CNA proposal. [T]he proposals go beyond maintaining existing powers in order to cope with new technology … [and] would actually lower the threshold currently required to obtain Canadians’ personal information […]

“Right to Know Week” in Canada runs from Friday September 28 to Friday October 5, 2007. Events across Canada will reveal the vital role freedom of information laws play in giving citizens access to government records. All Canadians have a right of access to their own personal information and to records about almost everything else […]

During the 1990s, the Canadian public enjoyed a steady increase in access to government information. New freedom of information laws were passed in many Canadian provinces. The BC government was at the leading edge of the trend, passing an FOI law that made it much more transparent and accountable. Then came a new century, 9/11, […]

In his annual report, released today, Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis has called on the Premier and Cabinet to show leadership by amending the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to restore the public’s access to information rights that were curtailed by a BC Court of Appeal Decision. “The bottom line is […]

Canada’s official privacy watchdogs have formed a united front to call for suspension of the Canadian government’s new no-fly list until it can be overhauled to ensure strong privacy protections for Canadians. FIPA is urging all concerned citizens to join in by emailing the Prime Minister (See last paragraph). The federal, provincial and territorial privacy […]

Ten national organizations including civil liberties, anti-racism, and groups representing immigrants and refugees are calling for the federal government to scrap plans for a “No Fly List” in a joint letter to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. We believe that the [No Fly] List raises grave concerns regarding […]

Weekly privacy news briefs from around the world – 2006: Privacy News Highlights – 10 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 19 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 26 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 2 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 9 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 16 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights […]

FIPA President Richard Rosenberg testifies today before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, which has begun a mandatory review of Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). The PIPEDA regulates how private sector organizations deal with Canadians’ personal information. FIPA is advocating major reforms to the […]

BC FIPA and the BCCLA have made submissions regarding the statutory review of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI). This submission highlights a number of issues which must be addressed in order to ensure that the privacy […]

A group of international data and privacy protection commissioners has decided to act together to challenge the surveillance society which they claim is developing. Commissioners from the UK, France, Germany and New Zealand will adopt common policies. At the annual Conference of Data Protection and Information Commissioners, held last week in London, a joint set […]

Since September 2001, the RCMP have been buying and storing personal information on Canadians from private data brokers, which have been used by U.S. authorities to combat terrorism even though the information they sell has been criticized for its inaccuracy. Data brokers collect personal information from all kinds of sources, ranging from warranty forms, gold […]

BC FIPA has released a study on the BC Government’s response to freedom of information (FOI) requests over the past five years. The study titled “Access Denied” reveals many shortcomings in the administration of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FIPPA). Results indicate that response times for information requests are often in excess […]