The Canadian Association of Journalists has nominated the B.C. government for its annual awards recognizing “the most secretive government agency in Canada”. The B.C. government was nominated for a series of actions that have undermined the province’s freedom of information laws. The CAJ news release states, “After taking power in 2001, the Liberals steadily cut […]

In their 2001 “New Era” platform, the BC Liberals promised to bring in “the most open, accountable and democratic government in Canada.” Research by FIPA shows that the Liberal government has done much more to erode open government during their four years in office than they have done to enhance it. In fact, they have […]

The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association was joined by four other public interest groups today as it released a report taking the BC government to task for failing to live up to its “New Era” promise to deliver open and accountable government. The FIPA report is a preview of a major study to […]

Here is the response from the BC Liberal Party to our election survey on freedom of information and privacy issues for 2005. Download (pdf).

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 […]

In the summer of 2004, ID theft was a hot issue. Since then, it has exploded. There has been a flurry of activity in Canada and the United States, as regulators and companies alike struggle to keep up with the rapid growth in this white collar crime. Consequently, while the research has progressed, it has […]

BC FIPA has provided its comments on Justice Canada’s new Lawful Access proposals. These proposals were announced as part of the government’s consultations on Lawful Access. FIPA continues to be opposed to many of the New Lawful Access Proposals as they unjustifiably intrude upon the privacy rights of Canadian citizens. We repeat the concerns outlined […]

FIPA has joined with 83 other Civil liberties groups in the “International Campaign against Mass Surveillance”. The campaign is calling on countries around the globe to rein in the growing number of “intrusive and discriminatory measures” that profile, monitor and track individuals in the name of fighting terrorism. Citizens and groups around the world are […]

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 […]

OTTAWA , April 5, 2005 – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, today presented a discussion paper on Access to Information reform to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. The paper outlines the Government’s views on access reform issues for the Committee’s consideration before the Government […]

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 […]