The B.C. government has opened the "world" of
connectivity and communication software tools and applications not
previously available to public bodies because they stored or
permitted access to personal information outside of Canada.
To assist public bodies coping with certain challenges
associated with COVID-19, the B.C. government has issued a ministerial order under the
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
("FOIPPA"). Under this order, the government is
temporarily exempting public bodies from the "in Canada
Only" requirements in B.C.'s public-sector privacy
legislation. The substantial privacy protection requirements of
FOIPPA remain.
Under FOIPPA, personal information in the custody or under the
control of a B.C. public body can only be stored in and accessed
from within Canada, except in limited circumstances. Effective
March 26, 2020, public bodies are permitted to disclose personal
information outside of Canada in additional limited
