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Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Welcome

On June 16, 2021, the Legislative Assembly agreed that a Special Committee be appointed to review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [RSBC 1996, c. 165] in accordance with section 80 of that Act.

The Special Committee released its report FIPPA for the Future on June 8, 2022 which makes 34 recommendations to improve and modernize access to information and privacy rules in British Columbia’s public sector. To inform its work, the Special Committee held a public consultation and heard from 97 organizations and individuals. Special Committee Members would like to thank everyone who participated in this process. Read the Media Release for more information.

Adopted in 1992, the Act provides British Columbians with a statutory right of access to records in the custody or control of public bodies, subject to certain exceptions; governs how public bodies collect, use, and disclose personal information; and requires public bodies to protect the personal information that they have in their custody or control. Section 80 of the Act requires a Special Committee to review the Act every six years.

Terms of Reference

​On February 14, 2022, the Legislative Assembly agreed that a Special Committee be appointed to review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 165) pursuant to section 80 of that Act.

That the Special Committee have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition be empowered to:

  1. appoint of its number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Special Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;
  2. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;
  3. conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate;
  4. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and
  5. retain such personnel as required to assist the Special Committee.

That any information or evidence previously under consideration by the Special Committee appointed by order of the House on June 16, 2021 be referred to the Special Committee.

That the Special Committee report to the House by June 15, 2022; and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

Contact Information

​Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
c/o Parliamentary Committees Office
Room 224, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Canada

Phone: 250-356-2933 (collect) or 1-877-428-8337 (toll-free)
Fax: 250-356-8172
Email: foicommittee@leg.bc.ca

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