NDP faces growing backlash over law that experts say could lead to more government secrecy
A wide-ranging coalition is calling on the NDP government to stop attempts to ram through controversial changes to the Freedom of Information Act, and instead refer the proposal to an all-party committee.
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, The B.C. General Employees' Union, Independent Contractors Association and Lawyers Watch Canada are some of the more than a dozen organizations calling on the John Horgan government to withdraw Bill 22 and refer it to a special committee.
The legislative changes have drawn the ire of the privacy commissioner, journalism schools and others.
Under the proposed changes, some electronic records won't need to be kept and won't be searchable. The privacy commissioner worries that will be used to reject requests. Another change limits the commissioner's powers to make the government release records - a third - what critics call a "transparency tax."
The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association says the NDP is breaking a promise to make the legislature more transparent.
Jason Woywada, the executive director of FIPA said the party committed to bringing offices like those for the Clerk and Sargeant at Arms under freedom of information laws after two top officials were ousted amidst a spending scandal that couldn't be tracked through information requests. Former speaker Darryl Plecas made the allegations public.
"They could have taken steps that made transparency increase that put things like the Legislative Assembly under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act, which they agreed to at one point but have suddenly decided that that is in the best interests of their own secrecy," Woywada told CTV Vancouver.
Woywada believes the changes will hurt many British Columbians who are looking for information at all levels of government.
Just months ago, a legislature committee was formed to review the privacy laws, and has only met once. It has no input into the current legislation. The Minister of Citizen Services, Lisa Beare, told reporters there is an urgency to passing the bill.
"Our ministerial order which has been extended twice, which allows all these fabulous things that people have become accustomed to during COVID, like FaceTiming with their doctor or doing online conferences, that all expires at the end of December," she said Wednesday. Beare added that meant passing legislation.
However, when asked why the order couldn't have been extended while a committee studied the more controversial aspects, Beare replied there was "widespread consultation"
Judging by the criticisms, there also appears to be widespread backlash.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.