NEWS RELEASE December 15, 2014 FIPA finally gets Ministry of Health records after two year battle   VANCOUVER, December 15, 2014—The records requested by the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association in 2012 regarding contracts and other records related to the mysterious Ministry of Health data breach case have finally been released. They are […]

In response to OIPC order F14-45, the release of all data sharing and other agreements between January 1, 2011 and August 2, 2012 involving MoH and Rebecca Warburton, William Warburton, Malcolm Maclure and Colin Dormuth; all correspondence between these individuals and the Ministry related to these agreements, particularly discussions of delays or other impediments to access to data for research […]

Originally posted in Huffington Post The federal Access to Information system has been in crisis for a number of years, and last week the crisis deepened. Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault told the Commons Access to Information, Ethics and Privacy committee (ETHI) that the number of complaints her office receives from people being denied access to […]

For more than twenty years, FIPA has been an instrumental part of B.C.’s civil society. Apply now to join our team as our new Program Director. Here are the details on the position, and how to apply: Position: Program Director Position Type: Full-Time Salary: $37,500- 40,000/year (dependant on experience) Location: Vancouver/Lower Mainland, B.C. Minimum Required Experience: Bachelor’s […]

As we approach the end of 2014, it’s time for our annual check-in on the progress that’s been made for our information rights. It’s been a busy year for Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, who has made a number of suggestions for important amendments to improve access and privacy laws in this province. Sadly, […]

Our online privacy rights are coming under intense scrutiny this month, as two bills threaten to expand the ability of law enforcement agencies (and others!) to access our personal information without a warrant. The highly unpopular C-13 is currently making its way through the Senate, and facing fierce opposition. Meanwhile Bill S-4, the Digital Privacy […]

Michael Sona was sentenced yesterday to nine months in jail plus a year’s probation, having been found guilty in August of using robocalls to try to keep 6,000 voters in Guelph, Ontario from casting ballots in the 2011 federal election. This case is not the first time that use of the Conservative Party’s Constituency Information […]

Online Spying Bill C-13 has already passed the House of Commons and will soon face a final vote in the Senate. But the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that large parts of C-13 are unconstitutional. If passed, the Bill will face legal challenges and waste millions of taxpayer dollars. The Senate claims to be […]

  Click here to download a pdf of the submission November 7, 2014 Ms. Jackie Tegart, Chair Special Committee on Local Elections Expense Limits BY E Mail: LocalElectionsCommittee@leg.bc.ca Re: Submission to public consultations on principles for local elections expense limits Dear Ms. Tegart, I am writing to you in response to the consultation your Special […]

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has ordered the release of records requested by BC FIPA related to the mysterious Ministry of Health data breach case. FIPA had requested: Data sharing and other agreements involving the Ministry and four named individuals; Correspondence between the Ministry and the four named individuals relating to the […]

It’s that time of year again: the lineup for the 14th annual Media Democracy Days has been announced, and FIPA is excited to be part of this year’s events. The 2014 conference features two days public events that promote a fair and democratic media system; one that gives voice to the silenced, encourages diversity, and challenges […]

FIPA has teamed up with OpenMedia and other members of the Protect Our Privacy Coalition to launch a pro-privacy crowdsourcing initiative. This week the highly controversial online spying Bill C-13 passed the House of Commons, despite concerns that the Supreme Court of Canada Spencer ruling likely makes the legislation unconstitutional. This also follows a year […]