FIPA Bulletins

FIPA Bulletins


October 2017 Bulletin

Download the full October 2017 Bulletin, or use the links below to read individual articles online. In this issue: 2017 Right to Know Week update Big changes coming to FIPA next year & job posting Remembering Gwen Barlee Federal ATI reform plans not enough FIPA pushes to keep BC privacy law out of NAFTA negotiations Find more […]

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FIPA Pushes to Keep BC Privacy Law out of NAFTA Negotiations

As the NAFTA renegotiations got underway, FIPA was working to make sure this province’s public sector privacy law was not being put on the bargaining table. Before the negotiations began, the US Trade Representative released an 18 page list of objectives for the negotiations. The first and most serious is at the top of page […]

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Federal ATI Reform Plans Not Enough

The long-promised Liberal amendments to the Access to Information Act (ATIA) were finally revealed just before Parliament’s summer recess, and the reaction was swift and overwhelmingly negative. FIPA and a number of other groups sign a letter to the Minister responsible, Scott Brison, setting out some of C-58’s many shortcomings and demanding the bill be […]

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Remembering Gwen Barlee

This past summer, the country lost a remarkable woman. Gwen Barlee was one of Canada’s most active and effective FOI requesters, a longtime advocate for openness and transparency, and someone who has inspired many young activists to use FOI to gain access to important information. She was best known for her work as the Policy […]

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Big news alert! FIPA is on the hunt for a new Executive Director!

There was some big news shared with FIPA members at our past AGM and to the broader audience at our recent Information Summit! FIPA will be sending off our long-serving Executive Director, Vincent Gogolek, as he heads into retirement next year! Anyone who has been around the FOI community in BC for any length of […]

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2017 Right to Know Week

This year, BC FIPA celebrated Right to Know Week by hosting two great and informative events! We hosted our 7th BC Information Summit on September 21. This year’s theme was Transparency: Has the Wave Broken, and featured excellent keynote speakers and engaging panels. While the Information Summit is usually a biennial event, the change of […]

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May 2017 Bulletin

Download the full May 2017 Bulletin, or use the links below to read individual articles online. In this issue: BC Election 2017: Where the Parties Stand on Freedom of Information and Privacy Rights Updates on provincial and federal Information Commissioners FIPA talks Connected Cars and Privacy at Senate Transport Committee Two new Committee reports on National Security How […]

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Get ready for our AGM!

It’s that time of the year! Keep an eye on your inbox over the next few weeks as we finalize all the details for this year’s Annual General Meeting! The AGM is your chance to hear about our work, elect BC FIPA board members, review updates to our bylaws, and talk about some of this […]

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Two new Committee reports on National Security How will Goodale react?

Two new Committee reports on National Security – How will Goodale react? Two important Commons committee reports relating to Bill C-51 and national security were released this week. They come after a major consultation on national security by the federal government in late 2016. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has said he plans to introduce […]

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FIPA talks Connected Cars and Privacy at Senate Transport Committee

FIPA talks Connected Cars and Privacy at Senate Transport Committee The Senate Transport and Communications Committee has begun its hearings into autonomous and connected vehicles, with its report due to federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau by the end of 2017. The minister asked the Senate committee to look into the issues surrounding this major technological […]

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Updates on provincial and federal Information Commissioners

Drew McArthur named as acting BC Information and Privacy Commissioner for the second time After a five-day vacancy without an Information and Privacy Commissioner earlier this year, Drew McArthur was reappointed as Acting Commissioner via an order in council effective March 17. McArthur’s term expired on Monday, March 13, but the special Legislative Committee searching […]

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February 2017 Bulletin

Download the full February 2017 Bulletin, or use the links below to read individual articles online. In this issue: The Final Verdict to our Election Act Challenge: An Unusual Victory Many thanks to our pro bono lawyers BC Throne Speech has none of needed reforms for FOI and privacy FIPA weighs in on Privacy Act, PIPEDA reforms […]

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