Canada: Adopted Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act (Bill 22)

On 25 November 2021, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act (Bill 22) was adopted by the British Columbia Parliament, received royal assent. The entire Bill enters into force except for Sections 25 (obligations concerning privacy management programs and privacy breach notifications) and 48 (responsibilities of police chiefs), which shall be enacted by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Bill amends the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), which is British Columbia’s public sector privacy law. In particular, the Bill requires public bodies to develop a privacy management program and report breaches to British Columbia's Privacy Commissioner. Moreover, the Bill introduces new offences in the case of collection or use of personal data when not authorized by the FIPPA. Finally, the Bill eliminates the prohibition for public administration offices of disclosing and storing personal information of British Columbia citizens outside of Canada.