Legislation and Regulations

More Public Bodies Covered by Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

VICTORIA, B.C.

The government has increased the number of public bodies covered under B.C.'s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Graeme Bowbrick, minister responsible for the Information, Science and Technology Agency, announced today.

"Premier Dosanjh committed, at the swearing-in of his new cabinet last week, that the new government would do its best to provide open and balanced government for all British Columbians," said Bowbrick. "Making 97 more public bodies accountable under FOI is tangible proof of this government's commitment to the principles of open government – and to the principle of protecting individual privacy.

"Our willingness as a government to share information carries with it an equally important responsibility to safeguard and protect the personal information entrusted to government. This balance of priorities is enshrined in our legislation."

In total, 352 public bodies will be covered by schedules 2 and 3. Schedule 2 extends coverage to public bodies like the Columbia Basin Trust, Forest Renewal BC and Rapid Transit Project 2000 Ltd. Schedule 3 extends coverage to self-governing professional and occupational bodies like the College of Dental Technicians of British Columbia, the College of Midwives of British Columbia and the College of Psychologists of British Columbia. This now means B.C.'s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act applies to over 2,000 organizations, including government ministries, agencies and Crown corporations.

Applicants for access to information from these new public and governing bodies will now have formal redress to the privacy commissioner should they have a dispute with the body. "We are making one of the best pieces of freedom of information and privacy protection legislation in Canada even better," said Bowbrick.

Released on March 9, 2000