Amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act aim to improve the experience of people using the Freedom of Information (FOI) system in B.C., and enable the new Connected Services BC to improve digital service delivery for people and businesses in B.C.

As the complexity and size of FOI requests continue to grow, the freedom-of-information amendments address two key areas:

• Improving process efficiency and transparency for applicants, and enabling public bodies to better manage the administrative processes associated with FOI requests:
  • Taking pressure off the FOI system by enabling the proactive release of information to individuals seeking their own personal information, without a formal FOI request. Personal information requests currently represent 60% of FOI requests.
  • Strengthening provisions around the specificity of requests and applicants clarifying requests.
  • Enabling an applicant to consent to a public body extending the timeline of an FOI request, without also needing the approval of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC).
  • Expanding the existing process where public bodies can apply to the OIPC for approval to disregard certain requests, including those associated with abusive or malicious behaviour.
  • Reducing duplication and the processing of duplicate releases, for example if an applicant files both an FOI and a legal discovery request.
• Introducing miscellaneous efficiencies or clarifications requested by the FOIPPA special committee and/or the OIPC to address operational inefficiencies:
  • Streamlining OIPC operational requirements, including: enabling inter-jurisdictional collaboration; clarifying their research review requirements; and allowing the OIPC to take reasonable time extensions for completing reviews.
  • Protecting communications from the judiciary, to ensure judicial independence.
  • Making the OIPC’s review of common or integrated programs discretionary on the part of the OIPC.

In addition, the legislation will make it easier for people to access government services through the new Connected Services BC in the Ministry of Citizen Services. These proposed amendments will:

• Enable a single government gateway for people and businesses to apply to and receive government services, and to update their information across government programs.  
• Streamline information sharing by introducing new collection, use and disclosure purposes in FOIPPA.
• Empower the minister to issue directions to public bodies about data standards and privacy and security requirements, in order to protect people’s information.

Quick Facts:

• In addition to extensive consultation with the information and privacy commissioner, the ministry consulted with key sectors, including health, post-secondary, K-12 education, local government and Indigenous Peoples, on the proposed amendments.
• In 2024-25, FOI Operations processed 2.18 million pages, up from 1.64 million pages in 2020-21.
• Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, the average general request grew from 146 pages per file to 508 pages per file.

Learn More:

• To learn more about FOIPPA, visit: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96165_00
• To view government information released regularly, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/open-government/open-information/government-information-regularly-released
• For more information about B.C. legislation, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/legislation