'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
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.