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Christy Clark repealing transparency and privacy rights: FIPA

An advocacy group has written British Columbia Premier Christy Clark expressing "deep concern" about her government undermining the province's information and privacy laws.

"As you have repeatedly stated that your intention is to lead the most open and transparent government in the country, we find these recent developments very troubling," wrote Vincent Gogolek, the executive director of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association in a June 1 letter to Clark posted on the organization's website.

The letter details concerns with parts of four pieces of legislation the government introduced during the spring session of the legislature, all but one of which passed. They included laws related to drug prices, ferries, emergency service providers and animal disease outbreaks.

"The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, has already written to the responsible ministers with her concerns, which they have rejected," said Gogolek. "We look to you for an explanation of why your government has apparently decided to undertake a piecemeal repeal of transparency and privacy rights."

Clark has said open government is one of her three top priorities, along with families and jobs.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.

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