Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 22 JUNE 2026

British Columbia Modernizes Freedom Of Information And Public-sector Access Regime

Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Contributor
Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG

The firm The firm’s lawyers speak English, French, Russian and Ukrainian. The firm’s client base...

View firm profile
Explore more from Gowling WLG

British Columbia’s Bill 9, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026, which received Royal Assent on May 28, 2026, introduces amendments to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy...

CanadaPrivacy
Krista Schofer
Krista Schofer
Arielle Sie-Mah
Arielle Sie-Mah
Nicole Sapieha
Nicole Sapieha
Author LinkedIn connections

British Columbia’s Bill 9, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026, which received Royal Assent on May 28, 2026, introduces amendments to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act (FOIPPA) intended to modernize B.C.’s public-sector access and privacy regime.

Access requests

Public bodies now have greater flexibility with respect to responding to access requests:

  • Specificity requirement: The head of the public body has the discretion to decide whether a request provides “enough detail” for the requested record to be identified with “reasonable effort” in a “reasonable amount of time” to constitute an access request described under section 5 of FOIPPA.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Implications Of Bill C-34, Canada’s Proposed Online Safety Framework, For Organizations

Canada's proposed Digital Safety Act introduces sweeping new obligations for social media platforms, AI chatbots, and interactive online services, requiring operators to protect children, mitigate harmful content, and implement age-verification measures. Organizations face substantial penalties of up to 5% of global revenue for non-compliance, backed by a new federal regulator with broad enforcement powers. What steps should your organization take now to prepare for this emerging regulatory framework?
CanadaPrivacy
MLT Aikins LLP
MLT Aikins LLP
Article

Canada’s Children’s Privacy Code: What It Means For Your Organization

On October 20, 2026, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) released its Children’s Privacy Code (“the Code”). It is not new legislation, but that does not make it optional. The Code lays out how the OPC reads the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) when children’s personal information is involved online, and it is a clear preview of what the regulator will look for in complaints and investigations.
CanadaPrivacy
McKercher LLP
McKercher LLP
Article

Privacy, Data Protection, And Cybersecurity: What Foreign Companies Must Consider Before Entering The Canadian Market

Foreign companies entering Canada often assume their existing privacy programs designed for GDPR or CCPA compliance can simply extend to Canadian operations, but Canada's legal requirements demand targeted modifications. This comprehensive guide examines Canada's private sector privacy legislation, breach reporting obligations, AI governance expectations, and anti-spam regulations that businesses must navigate before launching in the Canadian market.
CanadaPrivacy
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

OPC Issues New PIPEDA Guidance On Assessing Third-Party Service Providers

Canada's privacy regulator has released new draft guidance establishing comprehensive due diligence standards for organizations evaluating third-party service providers under PIPEDA. The framework introduces eleven best practices covering everything from data flow mapping and AI training data sourcing to vendor lock-in risks and ongoing monitoring obligations, signaling heightened expectations for privacy accountability in vendor relationships.
CanadaPrivacy
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

Canada’s OpenAI Findings: What Businesses Need To Know About AI And Privacy Compliance

Canadian privacy regulators have completed a joint investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT, examining whether the company's collection, use, and disclosure of personal information complies with federal and provincial private-sector privacy legislation. The investigation involved the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada alongside regulators from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, scrutinizing OpenAI's practices in developing and operating its AI chatbot platform.
CanadaPrivacy
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

CBSA Anti-Dumping And Countervailing Duty Investigations: Truck And Bus Tires From China – What Producers, Exporters, And Importers Need To Know

Canada has initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into truck and bus tires from China, with preliminary determinations expected by November 30, 2026. Producers, exporters, and importers—including companies from Korea, Japan, and Singapore with Chinese operations—face critical September and October deadlines to submit comprehensive responses or risk significantly higher duty rates.
CanadaInternational Law
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

What Is The Hansa? From The Hanseatic League To Modern Cooperation Models

The term "Hansa" has re-emerged in modern geopolitical discourse, most notably through the 2026 Germany-Norway defence cooperation framework. This article examines how the principles of the medieval Hanseatic League—flexible coordination, shared standards, and mutual benefit without centralization—are being adapted to address contemporary challenges in defence, security, and cross-border collaboration.
GlobalInternational Law
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

Peptides In Canada: Regulatory Reality Is Catching Up With The Hype

Health Canada's recent enforcement action against unauthorized injectable peptides signals a regulatory shift that wellness companies cannot afford to ignore. While peptides dominate influencer marketing and online wellness spaces, their legal status in Canada depends on factors far more complex than social media trends suggest. Understanding how route of administration, therapeutic claims, and market authorization intersect is now critical for compliance.
CanadaConsumer Protection
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

The Warranty Of Good Working Order: New Québec Consumer Protection Regulation Takes Effect October 5, 2026

Starting October 5, 2026, Québec will introduce a new statutory warranty of good working order for consumer goods such as appliances and electronics, with minimum warranty periods ranging from 3 to 6 years. The legislation imposes disclosure obligations on manufacturers and merchants while prohibiting any attempts to exclude or limit this warranty. Businesses operating in Québec must adapt their practices to comply with these consumer protection requirements or face potential compliance issues.
CanadaConsumer Protection
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

Canadian Product Stewardship And EPR: 2026 Summer Update

Canadian governments and producer-responsibility organizations are refining extended producer responsibility programs across the country, affecting packaging, batteries, electronics, and hazardous products. Recent regulatory changes include expanded collection obligations, adjusted compliance timelines, and new enforcement measures, with significant developments in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic provinces.
CanadaEnvironment
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG