Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Menicoche.
2007-2008 Annual Report
The Information and Privacy Commissioner reiterated recommendations made in previous annual reports calling on Cabinet and deputy ministers to lead in creating a more open corporate culture. The Commissioner also recommended a legislative change: the present wording of ATIPP is such that it allows an applicant only 30 days after receiving a response to a request for information to ask the Commissioner to review that decision. In many cases the public bodies will allow applicants extra time, especially in cases where paper records and conventional mail are used, but they do not always consent and they are within their rights to refuse. The Commissioner thinks 30 days is a short time frame and she feels that refusing to respond to applicants who ask her to review decisions is contrary to the spirit and intent of the legislation.
Recommendation 4
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act be amended to extend the period of time in which applicants may ask that a decision on a
request for information be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner wants to ensure that all GNWT staff know the intent of ATIPP as it relates to electronic media. It is estimated that 90 percent of all records being created today are electronic and the advantages of electronic storage are numerous.
Recommendation 5
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the GNWT develop policies to address electronic records and their relationship to ATIPP, and that the GNWT provide training to employees on this issue.
For a number of years, the Information and Privacy Commissioner has recommended that the NWT enact legislation that would make municipalities subject to access and privacy legislation, just as they are in eight provinces. In the 15th Assembly, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight supported the Commissioner’s recommendation and “encouraged the GNWT to conclude the work started between the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Justice in consultation with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities to allow for consideration of a bill by the 16th Assembly.” In response, in 2007, the departments of Justice and Municipal and Community Affairs developed a range of options, and preliminary discussion has taken place with the NWT Association of Communities and local government administrators. All parties agreed to pursue broader consultation. The committee has been informed that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will present a discussion paper to various territorial associations, municipal governments, and the general public in the next two to three years. The committee continues to support working toward this legislative initiative in a timely fashion and will monitor progress over the coming months.
Conclusion
The committee commends the continuing efforts of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and looks forward to monitoring her continued activities.
Recommendation 6
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends the government provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the Report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Annual Reports.