Share this Story : Vancouver Sun Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Vaughn Palmer: NDP set to weaken B.C.'s FOI law and keep public in the dark

New bill would give public servants more power to refuse to supply requested information

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

VICTORIA — The New Democrats are quietly moving to weaken the public access provisions of B.C.’s freedom of information legislation.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.

Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.

Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Amendments introduced this week would give public officials greater leeway to delay responding to requests for information and they could challenge whether the request provides “enough detail” to implement.

Those same officials could reject requests altogether if, in their opinion, the effort to respond would interfere with the operations of the provincial government.

Citizens’ Services Minister Diana Gibson barely hinted at those changes Thursday in introducing Bill 9, with its amendments........

© Vancouver Sun