Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act Receives First Reading

The BC legislature has given first reading to Bill 7(Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2002). The proposed legislation would require applicants to provide more detail in requesting information, allow for extensions of time for responding to requests for information in certain circumstances, and expand the powers under the Act that the privacy commissioner may delegate. The changes also would allow the government to refuse to disclose third party information and to refuse to respond to requests that are repetitious, frivolous or vexatious.