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Jan 31, 2024 Review of Government's performance in responding to access requests The right to access public body records without unreasonable delay is protected by law and is critic... more
The right to access public body records without unreasonable delay is protected by law and is critical to enabling an informed and well functioning democratic society. The provincial Government receives thousands of requests for access to records each year and, as such, the timeliness of Government in responding to access requests is important. This report marks the ninth review from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) on Government’s timeliness, and covers the three-year period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2023. Where possible, the OIPC also examined historical data on Government’s performance over the past decade.
Nov 20, 2023 Tips for requesting records Highlighting British Columbians' access to information rights under the Freedom of Information and P... more
Highlighting British Columbians' access to information rights under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), including steps to access records under both acts.
Oct 13, 2023 10 tips for public bodies managing requests for records The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) regulates the information and priva... more
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) regulates the information and privacy practices of public bodies, including BC government ministries, local governments, crown corporations, and local police forces. FIPPA gives individuals the right to access records held by public bodies. Here are our top 10 tips to help public bodies meet the timelines and requirements for responding to requests for records under FIPPA.
Sep 13, 2023 Follow-up report: Left untreated: Security gaps in BC's public health database Public bodies are required to protect personal information in their custody or under their control b... more
Public bodies are required to protect personal information in their custody or under their control by making reasonable security arrangements against risks such as unauthorized collection, use, disclosure, or disposal or personal information.The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) is the body charged with operating the Provincial Public Health Information System (referred to in this report as the System) and ensuring the appropriateness of the System’s privacy and security protections.
Aug 30, 2023 2022-23 Annual Report Overview of 2022/2023 OIPC Annual Report.
Apr 20, 2023 Canadian Tire Associate Dealers’ use of facial recognition technology The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC) investigated the ... more
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC) investigated the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by four Canadian Tire stores (the stores) located in British Columbia. Facial biometrics are particularly sensitive, distinctive, and immutable pieces of personal information. For approximately three years, the investigated stores used FRT for the stated purposes of loss prevention and protecting staff and customers. Each of the involved stores promptly removed their FRT systems when they were notified of the OIPC’s investigation.
Jan 19, 2023 Access application fee six-month review In November 2021, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia amended the Freedom of Information an... more
In November 2021, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia amended the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) to permit, for the first time, public bodies to charge an application fee for access to general information. In response, the Commissioner committed to this review of the implementation and administration of the fee to assess the impact on applicants and on BC’s access to information system.
Dec 15, 2022 Left untreated: Security gaps in BC's public health database The Provincial Public Health Information System, referred to in this report as the “System”, collect... more
The Provincial Public Health Information System, referred to in this report as the “System”, collects personal information about all British Columbians to facilitate the delivery of healthcare and to manage outbreaks of communicable diseases. That personal information includes all manner of interactions with the System from vaccination status to mental health evaluations to a record of sexually transmitted infections. It should go without saying that the nature of this personal information is amongst the most sensitive and voluminous data held about us by any public body.
Jun 17, 2021 Getting ahead of the curve: Meeting the challenges to privacy and fairness arising from the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector Getting Ahead of the Curve is a special report released by the BC and Yukon Ombudsman and Informatio... more
Getting Ahead of the Curve is a special report released by the BC and Yukon Ombudsman and Information and Privacy Commissioners that raises a number of fairness and privacy concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in public service delivery.
May 28, 2020 Collecting personal information at food and drink establishments during COVID-19 Collecting personal information at food and drink establishments during COVID-19
Aug 13, 2018 How to make a complaint If you need help resolving a privacy complaint, or are not getting access to records you believe sho... more
If you need help resolving a privacy complaint, or are not getting access to records you believe should be disclosed, you can submit a complaint to the OIPC.
Aug 13, 2018 How to make a freedom of information request FIPPA gives you the right to access records held by public bodies, including your own personal infor... more
FIPPA gives you the right to access records held by public bodies, including your own personal information. PIPA applies to private sector organizations and gives you the right to access your own personal information.
Aug 13, 2018 How to make a request for review If you submitted a freedom of information request and believe that you have been improperly denied a... more
If you submitted a freedom of information request and believe that you have been improperly denied access to information, you can ask us to review the decision(s).
Jul 3, 2018 Does the GDPR apply to your BC-based organization? You probably noticed a flurry of emails in your inbox over the past few weeks, as everything from so... more
You probably noticed a flurry of emails in your inbox over the past few weeks, as everything from social media apps to your email provider to your fridge rush to send you privacy policy updates.
Jul 3, 2018 How the GDPR applies to BC-based organizations You probably noticed a flurry of emails in your inbox over the past few weeks, as everything from so... more
You probably noticed a flurry of emails in your inbox over the past few weeks, as everything from social media apps to your email provider to your fridge rush to send you privacy policy updates.