With the start of Canada’s Federal Election campaign, the Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) has released their 2021 FIPA Election Guide. Taking place during the Covid-19 pandemic, this election will be different from previous ones. “The Pandemic highlighted many long-standing issues in accessing information from public bodies at all levels and in protecting peoples privacy.”  according to […]

Transparency Spotlight is a searchable table of over 6,500 news stories informed through Access to Information requests. Released this summer FIPA is treating this as a great opportunity to further develop the resource. For that we need your help. FIPA is seeking contributors who can bring their insights and expertise to maintain, develop and expand […]

FIPA has added a new public resource. Transparency Spotlight can be found under the Research and Resources Section. This is a searchable table of over 6,500 news stories informed through Access to Information requests that will be added to and expanded going forward. Transparency Spotlight shows the important role access to information plays in research […]

The Ministry of Citizens’ Services launched an online survey soliciting input on access to government information and the protection of privacy. The Ministry says it will use this input to make improvements to the rules surrounding access to information and protection of personal information. The survey is open until 4pm PT on July 15, 2021.   We were hoping for a […]

VANCOUVER, September 17, 2020 – The Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) is pleased to announce the details for our Information Summit 2020 and our first events slated to be held during Right to Know week.  In prior years, Information Summit has been an opportunity for speakers and professionals to gather, network and explore issues and concepts around information, transparency and privacy. COVID-19 means the all-day conference is not happening, but the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of […]

VANCOUVER, September 17, 2020 – The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) has released their latest report Troubling clouds: Gaps affecting privacy protection in British Columbia’s K-12 education system.    “The government is setting the system up for failure.” according to Jason Woywada BC FIPA Executive Director. “Without the resources, guidance and supports they need, teachers, schools, and districts are making the best of a bad situation. The result puts personal information in the system at risk.”  […]

FIPA’s latest report is titled: Troubling Clouds: Gaps affecting privacy protection in British Columbia’s K-12 education system. This meeting is a virtual face to face with report author Matthew A. J. Levine as he details his findings and recommendations that impact anyone in K-12. The report exposes that whether in the classroom or online BC’s patchwork approach […]

Commissioner Michael McEvoy from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) kicks things off. He will be focusing on transparency and privacy in the context of COVID-19 along with recent work at the OIPC. This Microsoft Teams meetings is capped at 250 participants. Given the impacts we’ve seen through this global pandemic be sure to sign up […]

In prior years, Information Summit has been an opportunity for speakers and professionals to gather, network and explore issues and concepts around information, transparency, and privacy. COVID-19 means the all-day conference is not happening, but the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of great speakers on topics that matter remains. Held over lunch, this […]

BC FIPA and BCCLA support the Heiltsuk First Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, and Tsilhqot’in National Government’s requests for COVID case information  VANCOUVER, September 15, 2020 – The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) and the BC Civil Liberties Association’s (BCCLA) have signed a joint letter to express support for the Heiltsuk First Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, and Tsilhqot’in National Government’s and their requests for information […]

Vancouver, September 2, 2020 – FIPA is encouraged by the report but discouraged by the climate that gave rise to it. The fact that public bodies have been consistently violating the law is deeply concerning and FIPA urges the BC Government to take this report seriously.    “The NDP ran on a platform favouring stronger FOI law in 2017. We haven’t seen them follow through […]

This document analyzes BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) relative to Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act, Quebec’s Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector, and Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. It highlights key differences, provision by provision, in BC’s PIPA relative to other jurisdictions. As it is a side by side analysis of Canada’s private-sector privacy […]