BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
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Despite clear violation, St. Catharines Integrity Commissioner excuses Mayor Mat Siscoe for using taxpayer dollars to endorse Doug Ford
In a decision that appears to contradict itself, the municipal watchdog hired by Council members to hold them accountable has determined that even though Mayor Mat Siscoe violated rules set out in the Code of Conduct that governs the behaviour of local elected officials, his conduct somehow did not rise to a punishable contravention of…
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West Virginia governor implements policy changes in embattled foster care system
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey vowed Wednesday that his administration will improve transparency and policies within the state’s embattled foster care system. Morrisey, a Republican, announced the changes after eight listening sessions statewide to identify areas of improvement and a review of critical cases. Morrisey said he heard attendees at one…
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Federal privacy czar starts probe into theft of customer data from Nova Scotia Power
The federal privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into a ransomware attack that led to the theft of personal information belonging to 280,000 customers of Nova Scotia’s electric utility. Privately owned Nova Scotia Power confirmed last week that hackers stole the data and published it on the dark web. Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne said in…
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Plan for street checks apology was ‘overdue,’ says Nova Scotia RCMP commander
HALIFAX — The commander of the Nova Scotia RCMP says his force’s planned apology to the province’s Black community for street checks should have occurred some time ago. Assistant commissioner Dennis Daley says he has realized since taking office in late 2022 that the RCMP have a lot of work to do to rebuild trust…
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Watchdog finds mismanagement, ‘disturbing’ lack of disclosure at Defence Department
The Department of National Defence broke the federal whistleblower law by not being transparent about the results of investigations into wrongdoing, the federal integrity watchdog said in a report released Tuesday. Joe Friday, the public sector integrity commissioner, shared what he called “disturbing” findings that both the Defence Department and the Canadian Armed Forces have…
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Google brings its AI chatbot Bard into its inner circle, opening door to Gmail, Maps, YouTube
Google is introducing Bard, its artificially intelligent chatbot, to other members of its digital family — including Gmail, Maps and YouTube — as it seeks ward off competitive threats posed by similar technology run by Open AI and Microsoft. Bard’s expanded capabilities announced Tuesday will be provided through an English-only extension that will enable users…
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California law restricting companies’ use of information from kids online is halted by federal judge
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge has halted implementation of a California law intended to restrict companies’ use of information gathered from young internet users in order to protect the privacy of minors. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman on Monday granted a preliminary injunction, saying the legislation interferes with firms’ use of…
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Following Halifax police, RCMP to apologize to N.S. Black citizens for street checks
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia RCMP are promising to formally apologize for excessive street checks on Black citizens in the province. The Mounties say they expect to issue the apology and a followup action plan by next year, after holding a series of 14 meetings with the Black community that are expected to be completed by…
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Long secret Canadian intelligence sealed Avro Arrow’s cancellation, new paper says
OTTAWA — The Diefenbaker government’s 1959 decision to scrap the fabled Avro Arrow was significantly influenced by Canadian intelligence that pointed to a diminishing need for the costly aircraft in the evolving Cold War, says a new research paper based on previously secret information. The intelligence highlighted the Soviet Union’s shift away from manned bombers…
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Watchdog finds mismanagement, ‘disturbing’ lack of disclosure at Defence Department
OTTAWA — The Department of National Defence broke the federal whistleblower law by not being transparent about the results of investigations into wrongdoing, the federal integrity watchdog said in a report released Tuesday. Joe Friday, the public sector integrity commissioner, shared what he called “disturbing” findings that both the Defence Department and the Canadian Armed…
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Hunter Biden sues the IRS over tax disclosures after agent testimony before Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden sued the Internal Revenue Service on Monday, claiming that two agents publicly alleging tax-probe interference wrongly shared his personal information, a case that comes amid escalating legal and political struggles as the 2024 election looms. The agents “targeted and sought to embarrass Mr. Biden” with the sharing of confidential tax…