Posted Fall of 2021
The Bill was sent to committee on October 26th. We have sent the following letter.
You can still add your name and help us make a difference. Email us here transparencymatters AT fipa.bc.ca to add your name to our coalition, and stay connected.
To Premier Horgan and Minister Beare:
We, the undersigned, believe transparency matters and, because of this, we write to you to express our grave concerns about the Bill 22 amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Bill 22 would see substantive changes made to FIPPA 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 protect the privacy and improve the information rights of British Columbians.
This legislation would extend the ability of current and future governments to keep people in the dark about vital matters of public interest. Its introduction at this time short-circuits the work of the special legislative committee responsible for reviewing FIPPA, preventing meaningful public consultation. If passed, it would immediately put up more barriers for people seeking access to information.
You have made prior commitments regarding the value you place on transparency and about the need to improve government accountability, but this legislation would make it harder for everyone – concerned citizens, experienced researchers, and you – to get facts rather than spin.
We recognize this majority government can readily pass this regressive Bill quickly. If that happens, it will impact the citizens of British Columbia now, haunt us into the future, and set a dangerous precedent across Canada.
Our message is simple: Transparency matters to all of us. Stop Bill 22.
We call on the government to:
Withdraw this Bill
Recognize the role of the all-party special committee and allow it to complete its work, including an open consultation process
Commit, on record, to introduce comprehensive amendments to FIPPA that reflect the recommendations of past and current special committees
As interested individuals and members of organizations, we call on you to demonstrate your commitment to democratic values by taking action to improve–not reduce–the transparency of public bodies.