For Anyone in a Democracy
At every government level from the Premier’s Office to the local water plant and everything in between. There are over 2,000 public bodies subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in British Columbia. People seeking to participate in the democratic process rely on access information to address a lack of Transparency.
Democracy requires a free and independent press to dig deeper and hold government accountable. Access to information allows journalists to move beyond spin and get the facts that help to inform all of us.
Bill 22 opens the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act for substantive changes for the first time in over a decade. Unfortunately, if passed, this Bill will undermine access to information and make public bodies less transparent. It is a step backwards for openness and accountability, and a missed opportunity to improve the information rights of British Columbians.