BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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Criminal Investigation into the Conduct of a Former Minister
Vancouver, October 7, 2019 – The Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, announced late Friday that he has accepted the resignation of the Minister of Citizens’ Services, Jinny Sims, due to an ongoing RCMP investigation into her conduct. At this time, precise details into the nature criminal investigation of Minister Sims are unknown.
The former Minister of Citizens’ Services oversaw the administration of the freedom of information laws that are contained within the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the records management practices contained in the Information Management Act (IMA).
During their 2017 campaign, the NDP promised to make reforms
to the FIPPA. These included the creation of a duty to document government
decisions and the inclusion of this provision within the FIPPA. Instead, the government
added this provision to the IMA, which places authority within the former
Minister to ensure government accountability. If the provision were to be
included in the FIPPA, independent oversight would be given to the Information
and Privacy Commissioner of BC.
“This is a time for the government to move forward with a comprehensive
reform of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act,” says Sara
Neuert, the Executive Director of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy
Association. “This is a necessary step in rebuilding trust with the public,
it’s what was promised, and it’s the recommendation of the all-party special
legislative committee that reviewed the FIPPA in 2016, former Information and
Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, and current Commissioner Michael McEvoy.”
The former Minister of Citizens’ Services, Jinny Sims, issued
a public apology in the spring of 2018 for conduct that contravened BC’s
freedom of information laws. In the spring of 2019, a former staff member made
several new allegations, which included an accusation that the former Minister
continues to break these laws. We will be following the RCMP investigation very
closely.
Contact:
Sara Neuert, Executive Director
BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Email: fipa (at) fipa.bc.ca
Phone: 604-739-9788
-30-
Vancouver, October 7, 2019 – The Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, announced late Friday that he has accepted the resignation of the Minister of Citizens’ Services, Jinny Sims, due to an ongoing RCMP investigation into her conduct. At this time, precise details into the nature criminal investigation of Minister Sims are unknown.
The former Minister of Citizens’ Services oversaw the administration of the freedom of information laws that are contained within the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the records management practices contained in the Information Management Act (IMA).
During their 2017 campaign, the NDP promised to make reforms to the FIPPA. These included the creation of a duty to document government decisions and the inclusion of this provision within the FIPPA. Instead, the government added this provision to the IMA, which places authority within the former Minister to ensure government accountability. If the provision were to be included in the FIPPA, independent oversight would be given to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of BC.
“This is a time for the government to move forward with a comprehensive reform of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act,” says Sara Neuert, the Executive Director of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association. “This is a necessary step in rebuilding trust with the public, it’s what was promised, and it’s the recommendation of the all-party special legislative committee that reviewed the FIPPA in 2016, former Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, and current Commissioner Michael McEvoy.”
The former Minister of Citizens’ Services, Jinny Sims, issued a public apology in the spring of 2018 for conduct that contravened BC’s freedom of information laws. In the spring of 2019, a former staff member made several new allegations, which included an accusation that the former Minister continues to break these laws. We will be following the RCMP investigation very closely.
Contact:
Sara Neuert, Executive Director
BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Email: fipa (at) fipa.bc.ca
Phone: 604-739-9788
-30-