We’re calling on the provincial government to keep their promise Earlier this month, we teamed up with the BC Civil Liberties Association and created a petition to encourage the British Columbia government to keep their campaign promise of reforming the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). This Act is as important today […]

This episode continues our story on the history of BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by exploring what’s gone wrong since the Act was passed. We begin in the year 1996, when a new NDP government under Premier Glen Clark is taking office in BC. You’ll hear about why former Premier Clark […]

On this episode of the show, we go back to a time before British Columbia had freedom of information or privacy laws—to the year 1990—and find out what it was like to request information from government. Then, we find out how a small group of dedicated individuals were able to advocate, draft, and ultimately bring […]

Last November, we published Carroll Anne Boydell’s analysis of BC’s new whistleblower legislation – the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) – and how it compares to international best practice standards. The study, which is currently available to download from our website, examines different legislations containing protections for whistleblowers who disclose wrongdoing in the province and […]

Media Release A small step towards open and transparent government Vancouver, February 5, 2019 – The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association is pleased with the recommendations made by the province’s top watchdogs to bring the Legislative Assembly of B.C. under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Signed by Information […]

Media Release Scandal at Legislative Assembly demonstrates need for Law Reform Vancouver, January 24, 2019 – The need for reforming British Columbia’s outdated Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) is evidenced by the recent scandal concerning misconduct and lack of oversight at B.C.’s Legislative Assembly. Allegations made by house speaker Darryl Plecas […]

MEDIA RELEASE November 5, 2018 Statistics Canada Requesting Financial Information of Canadians VANCOUVER, November 5, 2018 – The recent media reports of Statistics Canada seeking to collect the financial information of Canadians in order to build a personal information bank—and the report that Statistics Canada has already received personal financial data from one of Canada’s […]

  OPEN LETTER TO PREMIER HORGAN Reform of Freedom of Information and Privacy Legislation During this year’s Right to Know Week, FIPA sent a joint letter to Premiere John Horgan and Minister Jinny Sims calling for immediate action to reform and update BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Citing various studies, […]

MEDIA RELEASE October 4, 2018 Recommendations for Canada’s Digital Transformation VANCOUVER, October 4, 2018 – The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association submitted a paper to the department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development for their consultation on digital transformation. The national digital and data consultation, including the roundtable discussions that took place across […]

Earlier today we sent a joint letter to Premier John Horgan and Minister Jinny Sims supporting Freedom of Information and privacy reform. The text of the letter, signed by a number of well-known groups and individuals, is set out below. See here for the PDF copy. September 24, 2018 The Honourable John Horgan Premier of […]

Bill is a significant step in the right direction, but highlights problems with the current Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FIPPA). On April 25, BC Attorney General David Eby introduced legislation that would create a framework allowing public service employees to disclose serious wrongdoing, and provides general provisions to protect the discloser. The BC […]

MEDIA RELEASE April 27, 2018 BC Government introduces Public Interest Disclosure Act Bill is a significant step in the right direction, but highlights problems with the current Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FIPPA) VANCOUVER, APRIL 25, 2018 – On April 25, BC Attorney General David Eby introduced legislation that would create a framework allowing […]