The Commissioner noted in both her annual report and at the public review that tax-based communities currently have no legislation regulating the release of names, addresses or other private information on web pages or in other public documents. Municipal officials from both Yellowknife and Hay River have identified this as a serious concern.
The standing committee noted that the matter was referred to the Department of Justice. The committee has sent a letter asking for the department's opinions on this issue and awaits its reply.
In the meantime, the standing committee fully supports the Commissioner's recommendation that municipalities be included under territorial access to information and the protection of privacy laws. The Commissioner suggests that either new legislation should be drafted to deal with municipalities or municipalities should be included under the current legislation. The standing committee is willing to review either option at the government's earliest convenience.