Critical Information Schedules

Background

Critical information in the Government of British Columbia is information that documents the decisions of how government exercises authority, affects people, communities, or the environment, safeguards rights, and allocates resources. 

Criteria for critical information includes:

• Establishes and protects the legal, financial, constitutional, environmental, or human rights interests of the government or the public;
• provides evidence of obligations, entitlements, liabilities, or commitments; or
• has value for historical research or public memory.

While critical information is often retained for long periods or transferred to the government archives, it's the context (including, but not limited to, who the creator is, what they do, and how) that determines the appropriate schedule, not the length of retention.

Application

The Critical Information schedules establish the minimum requirements for retaining these records; a program area may extend the retention periods to suit their operational needs.

All records not covered by Critical Information schedules are covered in the Routine Information schedules. If your program area is unsure which to use, or if you think you have records that are critical but not currently covered by the critical information schedules, connect with your GIM Specialist.

Schedules

• Common Records
• Economy
• Executive Office Information
• Justice and Public Safety
• Legal & Prosecution Services
• Natural Resources
• Social Services