The news over the summer that the CRTC was at long last moving forward with a national do-not-call list generated a sigh of relief from millions of Canadians fed up with intrusive, unwanted and inconvenient unsolicited telemarketing calls. In the past few months, the do-not-call list details have begun to emerge with the CRTC addressing […]

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 […]

FIPA and the BC Civil Liberties Association have joined forces to oppose a blatant move by the BC Liberals to assert strict Cabinet control over future public inquiries. On April 24, the BC government introduced Bill 23, a revamped Public Inquiry Act, which radically changes the rules for inquiries. Historically, the law required public inquiry […]

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released a public notice asking for input on the development and operation of a National Do Not Call List (DNCL) and on telemarketing rules. Anyone interested in commenting without participating in the full public process, may do so in writing via mail, fax, or on a web-form […]

On January 23, for the first time in 20 years, a Canadian federal election may deliver real reform in government transparency and accountability. The ruling Liberals, as a result of the sponsorship scandal, were forced to introduce some half-hearted transparency measures in 2005, but there is a strong national consensus that much more needs to […]

BC’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, David Loukidelis, has been appointed for a second six-year term. Members of a Special Committee of the Legislature unanimously recommended that the House reappoint Loukidelis. “During his tenure as Commissioner, David Loukidelis has earned a well-deserved reputation as an effective advocate for the access to information and privacy rights of […]

FIPA sent a letter on May 4 to the Leaders of BC’s three leading political parties, asking them to clearly state their positions on a wide range of issues concerning freedom of information. We are deeply concerned with the 10-year decline in access to government information that has occurred under the last NDP and current […]

These are the questions we sent to the leaders of BC’s political parties to survey their views on freedom of information and privacy.   If or when your party forms the next B.C. government:   1. Do you think that access to government information should be increased? If so, what measures will you take to […]

FIPA has submitted a paper to the House of Commons Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security, which is currently reviewing Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act. Entitled “Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act: an unjustified limitation of freedom of information and privacy rights”, the report calls for the rollback of changes wrought by the Act. In FIPA’s view, the tragic […]

BC FIPA has presented its submisson on the Anti-terrorism Act to the House of Commons Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security. The submission, titled “Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act: an unjustified limitation of freedom of information and privacy rights” lays out BC FIPA’s position on the Anti-terrorism Act (ATA) and how it threatens freedom of information […]

The Canadian Parliament’s Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security began a review of Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act on December 16, 2004. The Subcommittee will be accepting written submissions and holding public hearings during winter and spring 2005, with a view to tabling a report in the House of Commons in autumn of the same year. […]

Lindsay Kines and Jeff Rud Times Colonist The USA Patriot Act poses a greater risk to Canadians’ personal information than earlier stated by the B.C. government, the province’s information and privacy commissioner said Friday. David Loukidelis praised government for toughening B.C.’s privacy law, but said it needs to go further to prevent the FBI from […]