Released on December 14, 2017
Improvements to Saskatchewan’s access and privacy legislation will come into effect with the start of the new year.The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2017 (FOIPP) and The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2017 (LAFOIPP) will both come into force on January 1, 2018.
“The coming into force of this legislation will modernize access and privacy in Saskatchewan and ensure we are consistent with other Canadian jurisdictions,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said. “We thank the Information and Privacy Commissioner for working with us on these changes, and look forward to continuing to work with him to maintain the appropriate balance between access and privacy in Saskatchewan.”
Some of the amendments include:
- a duty for government institutions and local authorities to assist applicants in obtaining information and a duty to protect personal information;
- extension of the privacy requirements under FOIPP to MLA and cabinet ministers’ offices;
- extension of LAFOIPP to include police services;
- increasing the penalties for offences; and
- creation of a new offence for snooping by an employee of a government institution or local authority.
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For more information, contact:
Noel Busse
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8959
Email: noel.busse@gov.sk.ca