Updated 2025.06.16 Subject: Urgent Appeal – Withdraw Part 4 from Bill C-4 We are writing on behalf of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association with an urgent appeal regarding Bill C-4, the Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act. We recognize and respect your commitment to affordability. But Part 4 of this Bill […]

This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, June 14th.   We’ve got stories from across the country shaped by access to information—from national defense funding to local integrity issues, wildfire preparedness, and controversial provincial actions.  We’ll follow that with a scan of cybersecurity incidents, data breaches, and surveillance concerns that are hitting public institutions […]

Updated 2025.06.12 Dear Minister Champagne,  We call on you to withdraw the portions of the Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act, Bill C-4, that amend the Canada Elections Act. The provisions of the Bill are a serious threat to Canadians’ privacy rights.   Provisions in Bill C-4 Part 4 grant federal political parties sweeping […]

Liberal government’s troubling approach to privacy revealed in new legislation Published: 2025.06.10 Two federal bills, one about borders and one about affordability, contain buried provisions that will erode Canadians’ privacy rights. June started out as a busy legislative month for the federal government, and two freshly-introduced bills are generating concerns for privacy advocates across the […]

Bill C-4 An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure was introduced on June 5th 2025. This Finance bill’s other measure is a series of amendments to the Canada Election Act in Part 4. Part 4 of Bill C-4 is a direct attack on the privacy of Canadians. It gives federal political […]

Show Notes for Saturday May 31. Writing: Shaun Fisk  | Production: Patrick Farnsworth  | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.   Full Show Links East Coast Data in the Spotlight  Nova Scotia Power confirms server breach was ‘sophisticated’ ransomware attack  https://fipa.bc.ca/nova-scotia-power-confirms-server-breach-was-sophisticated-ransomware-attack/  Federal privacy czar starts probe into theft of customer data from […]

While there are some positive elements, it is ‘unlikely’ that most public bodies in British Columbia are meeting the public’s high expectations around their information management. This finding originates from a FIPA review of responses to multiple freedom of information requests.  From President Mike Larsen’s perspective, “You can’t really have a transparent, effective, efficient, and secure […]

Show Notes for Saturday May 24. Writing: Shaun Fisk  | Production: Patrick Farnsworth  | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.   Full Show Links Snitch Line & Power School Hacker This US Snitch Line Reports Canadians Providing Gender-Affirming Care  https://fipa.bc.ca/this-us-snitch-line-reports-canadians-providing-gender-affirming-care/   The Tyee –  https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/05/21/Snitch-Line-Gender-Affirming-Care/ U.S. college student pleads guilty in data […]

Show Notes for Saturday May 17. Writing: Shaun Fisk  | Production: Patrick Farnsworth  | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.   Full Show Links Alberta Legislative Impacts  Investigation finds Alberta government not complying with freedom of information laws  https://fipa.bc.ca/investigation-finds-alberta-government-not-complying-with-freedom-of-information-laws/   Information and Privacy Commissioner finds Government of Alberta non-compliant in processing access […]

Show Notes for Saturday May 10. Writing: Shaun Fisk  | Production: Patrick Farnsworth  | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.   Full Show Links Canadian Local Journalism Initiative  Number of St. Catharines properties in tax arrears soars under current council  https://fipa.bc.ca/number-of-st-catharines-properties-in-tax-arrears-soars-under-current-council/  The Pointer – https://thepointer.com/article/2025-04-30/number-of-st-catharines-properties-in-tax-arrears-soars-under-current-council#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20property%20tax,by%20the%20current%20City%20Council.   OPP detachment board’s ‘Traveling Wilburys’ seek meeting […]

Show Notes for Saturday May 3. Writing: Shaun Fisk  | Production: Patrick Farnsworth  | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.   Full Show Links Canadian Federal Election FIPA Federal Election Page https://fipa.bc.ca/2025-federal-election/ https://fipa.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250423-FE-Green-Party-Response-Freedom-of-Information-and-Privacy-Association-FIPA-Election-Survey-Response.pdf  FIPA Federal Election Guide   https://fipa.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FINAL-202500408-Fast-Facts-Federal-Election.pdf   FIPA Election Questionnaire  https://fipa.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FINAL-20250408-Federal-Election-Questionnaire-Leaders-and-Party.pdf   Federal Green Response   https://fipa.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250423-FE-Green-Party-Response-Freedom-of-Information-and-Privacy-Association-FIPA-Election-Survey-Response.pdf   FIPA […]

Show Notes for Saturday April 26. Writing: Shaun Fisk  | Production: Patrick Farnsworth  | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.   Full Show Links Euro Privacy Action  Meta faces historic antitrust trial that could force it to break off Instagram, WhatsApp  https://fipa.bc.ca/meta-faces-historic-antitrust-trial-that-could-force-it-to-break-off-instagram-whatsapp/   Meta says it will resume AI training with public […]