VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) is too vital an accountability tool to not include stiff penalties for politicians and bureaucrats who violate it, says the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) in a letter to the FOIPPA review committee.

“Tougher penalties, fines and even prison time should be included in the Act to prevent government agencies from flouting the public’s fundamental right to information,” said Jordan Bateman, B.C. Director for the CTF. “Too often, government drags its heels to avoid letting taxpayers know what’s really happening.”

In November 2014, the CTF filed a FOIPPA request with TransLink, the Lower Mainland transit authority, asking for employee severance package information. TransLink did everything it could to avoid providing the information, filing an extension and then asking for another one, which was rejected by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OIPC).

“Knowing they wouldn’t be punished, TransLink simply ignored our legal right to the information and held it for seven months, admitting to the OIPC that the completed report sat on the CEO’s desk for most of that time,” said Bateman. “They blatantly, cynically and illegally hid information from the public during the plebiscite campaign.”

The OIPC found TransLink violated both Section 6 and Section 7 of the Act, but was no punishment for the individuals responsible.

“Whether it’s triple delete, the loose definition of ‘transitory,’ or unreasonable delay, we need a stronger, clearer FOIPPA to ensure taxpayers have timely, complete access to information,” said Bateman. “This information is owned by the public – not the government.”

The CTF is encouraging its supporters across British Columbia to write the review committee and demand tougher penalties for FOI violations.