Legislative Submissions

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The Commissioner prepares written submissions to special committees of the Legislative Assembly and parliamentary bodies on issues or legislation that have an impact on the privacy and access rights of British Columbians.

Summary
Apr 6, 2022 Submission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Submission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy ActSubmission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Feb 3, 2022 General briefing for the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
The general briefing that follows is intended to provide the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act with a foundation as it considers recommendations for BC’s public sector access and privacy law. It will be supplemented by a more detailed and targeted package of recommendations that will be submitted later during your consultations.The general briefing that follows is intended to provide the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act with a foundation as it considers recommendations for BC’s public sector access and privacy law. It will be supplemented by a more detailed and targeted package of recommendations that will be submitted later during your consultations.
Feb 23, 2021 Supplemental submission to the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act
This submission supplements my Office’s September 16, 2020 submission on modernizing British Columbia’s private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).1 It recognizes that the federal government has since introduced legislation that would replace the federal private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), with the new Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA).This submission supplements my Office’s September 16, 2020 submission on modernizing British Columbia’s private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).1 It recognizes that the federal government has since introduced legislation that would replace the federal private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), with the new Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA).
Sep 16, 2020 Submission to the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act
This is the third time my office has participated in a statutory review of PIPA since its inception 20 years ago. Although the two previous reviews led to some very sound recommendations, government’s persistent failure to act has left previous Special Committees’ efforts lying dormant.This is the third time my office has participated in a statutory review of PIPA since its inception 20 years ago. Although the two previous reviews led to some very sound recommendations, government’s persistent failure to act has left previous Special Committees’ efforts lying dormant.
Jun 2, 2020 General briefing for the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act
The time to reform BC’s private sector privacy law is now. BC needs to clarify, strengthen, and enhance privacy protection to meet citizens’ expectations of personal information privacy in a new all-encompassing digital environment.The time to reform BC’s private sector privacy law is now. BC needs to clarify, strengthen, and enhance privacy protection to meet citizens’ expectations of personal information privacy in a new all-encompassing digital environment.
Mar 16, 2016 OIPC Response to Stakeholder Recommendations to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
The work of the Special Committee, appointed on May 27, 2015, to conduct the 40th Parliament’s statutory review of the Freedom of Information and Protection ofPrivacyAct(”FIPPA”), has generated intense interest and engagement. For more than two decades, FIPPA has been the foundation of the right to access to information and the protection of privacy in British Columbia. This review presents a timely opportunity to carefully examine the Act and consider how it can be improved to make government more accountable and better protect personal privacy.The work of the Special Committee, appointed on May 27, 2015, to conduct the 40th Parliament’s statutory review of the Freedom of Information and Protection ofPrivacyAct(”FIPPA”), has generated intense interest and engagement. For more than two decades, FIPPA has been the foundation of the right to access to information and the protection of privacy in British Columbia. This review presents a timely opportunity to carefully examine the Act and consider how it can be improved to make government more accountable and better protect personal privacy.
Nov 18, 2015 Submission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
This report makes 20 recommendations for reform of B.C.'s public sector access to information and privacy law. Presented to the Special Committee on November 18, 2015. This report makes 20 recommendations for reform of B.C.'s public sector access to information and privacy law. Presented to the Special Committee on November 18, 2015.
Nov 26, 2014 Submission to the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act
The Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA”) is a balanced and effective law that protects the personal information of individuals while at the same time recognizes the tight of organizations to collect, use and disclose such information.The Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA”) is a balanced and effective law that protects the personal information of individuals while at the same time recognizes the tight of organizations to collect, use and disclose such information.
Jun 3, 2014 Follow-up letter to the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act
I am writing as a follow-up to my presentation to the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA”) on May 28, 2014, to provide responses to three questions posed by a member of the Committee.I am writing as a follow-up to my presentation to the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA”) on May 28, 2014, to provide responses to three questions posed by a member of the Committee.
May 28, 2014 General Briefing for the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act
This document provides the Committee with a brief history of private sector privacy law and a discussion of the current challenges to its effectiveness due to technological change and online security risks. It then gives a general overview of PIPA and the experience to date of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (“OIPC”) in overseeing compliance with PIPA. The last section of the document is a brief discussion of key reform considerations that would improve the ability of the Commissioner to exercise effective oversight and enhance the transparency of disclosures of personal information.This document provides the Committee with a brief history of private sector privacy law and a discussion of the current challenges to its effectiveness due to technological change and online security risks. It then gives a general overview of PIPA and the experience to date of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (“OIPC”) in overseeing compliance with PIPA. The last section of the document is a brief discussion of key reform considerations that would improve the ability of the Commissioner to exercise effective oversight and enhance the transparency of disclosures of personal information.
Jun 7, 2012 Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Study: Privacy and Social Media
This submission presents an overview of British Columbia’s privacy oversight model, a review of recent investigative work related to social media and the ways in which Canada’s privacy laws are meeting the challenges posed by this new media.This submission presents an overview of British Columbia’s privacy oversight model, a review of recent investigative work related to social media and the ways in which Canada’s privacy laws are meeting the challenges posed by this new media.
Apr 12, 2011 Bill C-30 – An Act to Enact the Investigating and Preventing Criminal Electronic Communications Act and to Amend the Criminal Code and Other Acts No summary available.
Mar 15, 2010 Submission of the A/Information and Privacy Commissioner to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act No summary available.
Mar 3, 2008 Submission of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia No summary available.
Nov 29, 2006 Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics: Statutory Review of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act No summary available
Feb 5, 2004 Submission of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act No summary available.
Feb 17, 2003 Submission on a National Identity Card
This submission addresses privacy issues raised by the proposal of The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration for a national identity card. This submission addresses privacy issues raised by the proposal of The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration for a national identity card.
Dec 16, 2002 Comments on the Government of Canada's 2002 'lawful access' consultation document
This letter comments on the 'lawful access' consultation document of the Department of Justice, Industry Canada and the Solicitor General of Canada.This letter comments on the 'lawful access' consultation document of the Department of Justice, Industry Canada and the Solicitor General of Canada.