 |
| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
|
| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
|
VICTORIA – Personal information held by public bodies is more secure after government added 19 public bodies to coverage under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act today. The public will also have the right to access records held by these bodies.
“Previously, these bodies did not have to respond to freedom-of-information requests or protect and retain the personal information in their files,” said Management Services Minister Sandy Santori. “Now, all 19 must adhere to the standards of information privacy and access set out in the act, which protect health, financial and other personal information.”
The addition of these public bodies responds to recommendations by advocacy groups and the Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis. While many of the bodies were acting in the spirit of the legislation, formally including them under the act gives individuals the right to ask the Information and Privacy Commissioner to investigate on their behalf when dealing with information they hold.
Today’s addition follows a March 2002 legislative amendment that made it simpler and more timely to add public bodies to the act.
“Some of the 19 bodies have not been captured under the act previously, and some are new,” said Santori. “For example, adding the recently-created Provincial Health Services Authority today completes coverage of all provincial health services authorities.”
Public bodies are eligible for coverage under the act if they perform functions governed by legislation or are funded or appointed by government.
Other amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act were introduced today to improve the protection of personal information handled by contractors acting on behalf of public bodies.
-30-
| ||||||||||||
