The Ministry of Citizens’ Services developed this manual to increase understanding of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) and its regulations in government and B.C. public bodies.
The manual is a reference tool that provides an overview of the Act’s general requirements, specific provisions, and application examples.
Click here for Policy Definitions
1. Definitions
Division 1 - Information Rights and How to Exercise Them
10. Extending the time limit for responding
Division 2 - Exceptions
12. Cabinet and local public body confidences
13. Policy advice or recommendations
14. Legal advice
15. Disclosure harmful to law enforcement
16. Disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations or negotiations
17. Disclosure harmful to the financial or economic interests of a public body
18. Disclosure harmful to the conservation of heritage sites, etc.
18.1 Disclosure harmful to the interest of an Indigenous people
19. Disclosure harmful to individual or public safety
20. Information that will be published or released within 60 days
21. Disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party
22. Disclosure harmful to personal privacy
22.1 Disclosure of information relating to abortion services
Division 3 - Notice to Third Parties
24. Time limit and notice of decision
Division 4 - Public Interest Paramount
25. Information must be disclosed if in the public interest
Division 1 - Collection, Protection and Retention of Personal Information by Public Bodies
26. Purpose for which personal information may be collected
27. How personal information is to be collected
27.1 When personal information is not collected
28. Accuracy of personal information
29. Right to request correction of personal information
30. Protection of personal information
30.1 Repealed
30.2 Repealed
30.3 Whistle-blower protection
30.4 Repealed
30.5 Notification of unauthorized disclosure
31. Retention of personal information
31.1 Application to employees and others
Division 2 - Use and Disclosure of Personal Information by Public Bodies
32. Use of personal information
33. Disclosure of personal information
33.1 Disclosure outside of Canada
33.2 Disclosure inside Canada only
34. Definition of consistent purposes
35. Disclosure for research or statistical purposes
36. Disclosure for archival or historical purposes
36.2 Privacy management programs
36.3 Privacy breach notifications
37. Appointment of commissioner
38. Resignation, removal or suspension of commissioner
40. Salary, expenses and benefits of commissioner
42. General powers of commissioner
43. Power to authorize a public body to disregard a request
44. Powers of commissioner in conducting investigations, audits or inquiries
44.1 Maintenance of order at hearing
44.2 Contempt proceeding for uncooperative person
45. Statements made to the commissioner not admissible in evidence
46. Protection against libel or slander actions
47. Restrictions on disclosure of information by the commissioner and staff
48. Protection of commissioner and staff
49. Delegation by commissioner
51. Annual report of commissioner
Division 1 - Reviews by the Commissioner
54. Notifying others of review
54.1 Order for severing of records
55. Mediation may be authorized
57. Burden of proof
59. Duty to comply with orders
59.01 Enforcement of orders of the commissioner
Division 2 - Investigations and Reviews by Adjudicator
59.1 References to commissioner
60. Adjudicator to investigate complaints and review decisions
60.1 Disregard of request under section 5 or section 29
61. Powers, duties and protections of adjudicator
64. Notifying others of review
65. Conduct and outcome of the review
66. Delegation by the head of a public body
69. General information respecting use of personal information
69.1 Public information regarding health information banks
69.2 Provincial identity information services provider
70. Certain records available without request
71. Head of public body must establish categories of records available without request
71.1 Minister may establish categories of records available without request
72. Repealed
73. Protection of public body from legal suit
73.1 Recovery of personal information
73.2 Court order for return of personal information
74. General offences and penalties
75. Fees
76. Power to make regulations
76.1 Ministerial regulation making power
78. Appropriation
79. Relationship of Act to other Acts
80. Review of Act
81. Right to disclose preserved
Schedule 3 - Governing Bodies of Professions or Occupations
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