For the past 30 years. FIPA’s advocacy has focused on the timeliness of the freedom of information process. We have been informed by the belief that access delayed is access denied. Unfortunately, little has changed or improved. Governments fail to meet deadlines, civil society and users complain, the next verse is the same as the […]

We’ve built a Privacy Management Program Training Certificate focused on helping the smallest of organizations move towards better privacy practice.   FIPA’s education program has always focused on ensuring people have access to the materials they need to make informed decisions about access and privacy rights.  People working in public bodies and the private sector need to […]

There’s a lot going on that impacts access to information and privacy. Our law reform efforts are built upon the foundation of our research, education and assistance work in these areas. To keep us current, accurate, and relevant we’ve developed a repeatable system of legal reviews and annual content updates.   Last fall we relaunched our […]

If you have ever sought out the access to information or privacy news stories in the current Canadian news cycle in one spot, we know there are some barriers. We’re working to address some of those.  Our goal is to walk the talk, if we redistribute or publish news stories, we want to recognize the […]

Questions about your legal rights surrounding health information post-pandemic?  FIPA has a history of considering the privacy and access issues that intersect your rights and personal health information. We originally launched www.healthinfoprivacybc.ca in 2011. Over the course of the pandemic, the site received a lot of attention. A lot has changed in the past decade. To ensure […]

Given its recent release, legal researchers at FIPA have completed an analysis of the Report on the administration of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act 2019/20 & 2020/21 tabled in the BC legislature May 18, 2021.   In general, the current Report presented less analysis, information, and figures than its predecessor. There is […]

Victoria, November 16, 2021 – Polling results released today indicate that several proposed changes introduced in Bill 22 are not supported by British Columbians. “The results of this poll show that British Columbians neither agree nor support two of the largest changes in Bill 22” said BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) Executive […]

Bill 22 is a failure. We suspected it might be bad. On review it is worse than anyone expected. “We started to compile pluses and minuses,” says FIPA (Freedom of Information and Privacy Association) Executive Director Jason Woywada. “The problem is there are so few positives and so many serious minuses we needed to take immediate […]

As part of our efforts to recognize the importance of the events and actions past and present that surround this date, FIPA wishes to highlight work being done in the area. Legal Perspectives Indigenous Canadian Conceptions of Privacy: A Legal Primer In 2019, while at Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law, Kimberly Gee was recognized by the Canadian […]

Working with our partners in the Right to Information Alliance of Canada (RTIAC) we sent letters to the major political parties to determine what their commitment is to greater Government Transparency. The Individual letters to the parties and the responses received are at the bottom of this page. RTIAC Letters to Parties – RTIAC Questions – […]

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 […]