BC FIPA has released a study on the BC Government’s response to freedom of information (FOI) requests over the past five years. The study titled “Access Denied” reveals many shortcomings in the administration of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FIPPA). Results indicate that response times for information requests are often in excess […]

The federal Conservatives made an iron-clad election promise to bring more openness to government. However, in a move that flouts this promise, the federal government is moving to curtail the independence of the Information Commissioner’s office. Outgoing Information Commissioner John Reid complained yesterday that the government is seeking to rein in the office by skewing […]

Privacy advocates are questioning the use of CIA-funded software to manage Canadian medical records. Software that will help sort millions of Canadian health records was developed by a company funded through the CIA’s venture capital partner, sparking concerns about the confidentiality of patient data. Privacy advocates are raising questions about Canadian use of the Initiate […]

The 36,000-strong association representing Canada’s lawyers is calling on the federal government to take action against a “trend” of cyber spying by Internet service providers. The Canadian Bar Association crafted a letter to three federal cabinet ministers after Bell Sympatico, Canada’s largest ISP, amended its service agreement with customers three weeks ago to reserve the […]

FIPA representatives testified on May 30 before the Parliamentary Committee to Consider Bill C-2, the Federal Accountability Act. FIPA president Richard Rosenberg and research director Stanley Tromp asked the committee to fulfill all the seven promises to reform the Access to Information Act made in the Conservative election platform of 2005. They urged the committee […]

Alberta’s freedom of information law, once described by a journalism group as the most secretive in Canada, is about to get even more restrictive. The Conservative government pushed through changes to Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to put a five-year blackout on briefing documents and other records that show how Premier […]

BC FIPA has made its submission on the Federal Accountability Act, Bill C-2 to the committee reviewing the legislation. BC FIPA offers 10 recommendations regarding the Act, including increasing the powers of the Information Commissioner, expanding the coverage of the Access to Information Act, creating a duty to document, strengthening public interest provisions, increasing protection […]

Following an outcry from FIPA and other voices for government transparency, legislation that would have greatly restricted the public’s access to government information has been deferred to the fall session of the BC Legislature. Happily, it may never re-appear in the same form. In a surprise move, and citing concerns that were raised, Government House […]

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 […]

Canada’s information Commissioner says that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has done a complete about-face, introducing plans that would increase government secrecy after campaigning on openness. The proposed Accountability Act, now being debated in the House of Commons, will actually make government less accountable when it comes to making information available to Canadians, Information Commissioner John […]

The BC government introduced two bills this week that, if passed, will do enormous damage to public access to information in British Columbia. Bill 23, the Public Inquiry Act, will make significant changes to public inquiries. Historically, the law required public inquiry reports to be publicly tabled in the Legislative Assembly. Under the new act, […]

Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer reports that the B.C. Liberals have rebuffed two requests to include the $100-million New Relationship Trust under freedom of information and protection of privacy legislation. Both requests came from David Loukidelis, the province’s information and privacy commissioner. “We are not inclined to do what he has asked,” said Tom Christensen, […]