BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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Ottawa’s new surveillance pricing rules not likely to take effect before 2028
The federal government wants to be “super careful” as it tackles surveillance pricing, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon said after tabling the government’s new privacy bill. Under the plan outlined by Solomon, those rules on surveillance pricing are unlikely to be in place before 2028. “It’s very easy to say just ban using personal information…
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Alberta judge dismisses bid to stall closure of supervised drug sites
A judge has dismissed a last-ditch legal effort to temporarily halt the closures of two supervised consumption sites in Alberta, citing a similar effort to stall another shuttered site. Lawyer Avnish Nanda applied for an injunction in April to pause the closures in Calgary and in Lethbridge, as he pursues an ongoing lawsuit challenging the…
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Trump moves oversight of special education and civil rights out of the Education Department
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is further dismantling the Education Department, moving oversight of special education and civil rights to other agencies. The Department of Justice will take on enforcement of civil rights in education, while the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education. The Trump administration made the announcement…
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Blandford-Blenheim explores summer day camp expansion
Plans are underway to explore potential providers for summer day camp programming following direction from Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council. With only two known day camp options within the municipality, including one in Plattsville that is run by the local church and another near Wolverton that is run by a rural group, staff are now looking…
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A key US government surveillance program is set to expire. A look at what that means
WASHINGTON (AP) — A key surveillance tool seen as vital in preventing terror attacks and catching foreign spies is set to expire Friday after congressional efforts to temporarily extend it failed in bipartisan fashion. It’s a significant lapse for the program known as Section 702, and even as President Donald Trump nominates a new national…
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AP exclusive: Doctors Without Borders report found cases of abuse and exploitation by staff in Chad
The international aid group Doctors Without Borders found a pattern of abuse and sexual exploitation by some local and foreign staff working in Chad along the Sudanese border, in some cases targeting underage girls or trading food or jobs for sex with refugees, according to a confidential internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. The…
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Cameras catch lots of loitering
Even more cameras will be keeping a watchful eye over the public, as the City’s surveillence of downtown proves to be an effective way to address public safety and protect local businesses. That was the message from Michael Magnusson, the executive director of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, during a presentation to…
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Alberta picks university to cost out separation, panel to assess ahead of referendum
Alberta’s government said Friday it has picked the University of Calgary to study potential costs of the province leaving Canada. It has also formed what it calls an expert advisory panel to review the university’s report and provide a separate assessment. The panel is led by economist Jack Mintz, a go-to expert for Alberta governments…
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Ramara shuts down call to support bid to repeal FOI changes
Transparency is a major topic for all tiers of government and the public is ever the more curious about how officials uphold openness to scrutiny in their civil service. With the provincial government’s recent changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), local officials are also keeping the subject open to…
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Ohio adds new photo ID requirement for mail voting for 2027 election
Ohioans soon will be required to provide a photo ID when voting by mail – a major change to a voting method that previously had been exempted from the strict voter ID requirement Republican lawmakers passed following the 2020 presidential election. Republican lawmakers unveiled the new photo ID requirement for mail voting on Tuesday, before…
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Pro-Canada group Vote to Stay says Albertans have duty to vote in referendum
To Michael Solberg, being an Albertan and Canadian are inextricably and extraordinarily linked. “Alberta is more than just a province. It’s a place in Confederation that I think makes it great,” he said. It’s part of why Solberg is a key member of the Vote To Stay campaign, an organization comprised of various people from…