'We haven't settled on a fee,' says B.C. premier as backlash against charging for information grows
B.C. Premier John Horgan seems to be backing away from a steep $25 fee proposed for Freedom of Information requests, while doubling down on controversial legislative changes that would make charging for disclosure possible.
On Wednesday, Journalism professors from the University of British Columbia, BCIT, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langara College and Thompson Rivers University issued a letter warning a $25 fee would be among the highest in the country. Addressed to the minister responsible, Lisa Beare, the letter argues the fee would be "a step backward for government transparency and openness."
Hamish Telford, associate professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley, also echoed concerns from the privacy commissioner that some of the changes the government has proposed to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act are a step in the wrong direction.
"If people thought the system was broken, it would be on the side that it was too difficult to access information – and the government is bringing in an act to make it even more difficult now," Telford told CTV News.
When asked about the changes at a weekly news conference Wednesday, Horgan distanced himself from the suggested size of the charge.
"We haven't settled on a fee. The bill allows a fee to be set by regulation," he explained.
The $25 figure came from the minister responsible this week. On Tuesday, Beare, who has the citizen services file, said, "other jurisdictions have a fee between $5 and $50, I'm recommending a number right in the middle of that."
In opposition, Horgan regularly used information from documents received through Freedom of Information requests to hold government to account. On Thursday, he reiterated the province's justification for paving the way for a financial disincentive.
"I believe thousands and thousands of requests aren't about finding out how decisions are made, they're about surveillance," Horgan said.
The province said it processes more than 10,000 FOI requests per year, and that the volume increased to an all-time high of 13,055 in 2019-20. Horgan blamed much of the spike on the BC Liberals.
One request even asked for a screenshot of his computer, prompting a cheeky response from the premier in which he showed his cellphone screen to reporters.
Telford thinks while the bill may be short-sighted, the NDP probably won't drop it.
"I'm guessing they'll dig their heels in and push this through, and then come to regret it sometime in the future when they're in the opposition," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.