On December 12,
2000, the Minister of Justice announced the
creation of the Freedom of Information Review Committee. In
line with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s
commitment towards a more open, transparent and accountable
government, this Committee was tasked with reviewing the
existing Freedom of Information Act, and making
recommendations to modernize the legislation and to create
consistency with other Canadian jurisdictions.
In July, 2001, after an extensive review and consultation
process, the Committee submitted a report
to the Minister of Justice recommending that the existing Freedom
of Information Act be repealed and a new legislative
regime enacted. In addition, it was recommended that the
protection of personal information and individual privacy be
incorporated into the new legislative regime.
In response to this recommendation, Bill 49, implementing
the Committee’s report, was presented to the House of
Assembly during the fall of 2001 and received Royal Assent on
March 14, 2002. The act may be cited as the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA).
