Madam Chairperson, on behalf of the Management and Services Board, I am pleased to introduce Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The purpose of this bill is relatively straightforward and I hope will be supported by all Members in this House. The present Acting Information and Privacy Commissioner has indicated that she has received a request for review which she is unable to handle because of a conflict. She would like to have this review transferred to another individual to handle, however, under the present wording of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, only the Commissioner can conduct a review. She cannot delegate this function to another.

Madam Chairperson, this bill proposes to allow for the appointment of a special Information and Privacy Commissioner to act in circumstances where the Information and Privacy Commissioner has determined that she cannot act in a particular matter. This bill would allow the Information and Privacy Commissioner to carry out her statutory functions while still providing for all reviews to be conducted by a commissioner. It provides her with the flexibility that she needs in order to do her job properly.

Madam Chairperson, the Information and Privacy Commissioner was consulted with respect to whether this bill solves the issue she brought to our attention, and she has indicated that she supports the passage of this bill.

Madam Chairperson, I am prepared to answer any questions that the committee Members may have about this bill. Thank you.