Mr. Speaker, thank you to Mr. Moses.

Review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

In her 2011-12 annual report, as in her three previous reports, the Information and Privacy Commissioner recommended the general review of the ATIPP Act. The Northwest Territories ATIPP Act has now been in force for more than 15 years. Access and privacy laws in other jurisdictions provide for regular reviews at five- or 10-year intervals. The Standing Committee on Government Operations forwarded this recommendation, along with others, to the Assembly last May.

The government indicated its response to last year’s standing committee report that it supports the committee’s recommendations to undertake a comprehensive review of the act, including an examination of the role and the powers of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. The review was identified in the Department of Justice 2013-2014 Business Plan, but completion is dependent on resources and timing.

The Standing Committee is pleased that this is on the government’s agenda. The committee appreciates the efforts and commitments of the Minister of Justice and the Government of the Northwest Territories access and privacy office to advance this work during the 17th Assembly.

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provides a detailed progress report to this Assembly on work done towards a comprehensive review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, identifying the timeline and any additional resources required to complete the review within the life of the 17th Assembly.

Progress Report for Recommendations

Last year the Standing Committee on Government Operations expressed a concern for the government’s lack of action on many of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s long-standing recommendations for legislative and ministerial improvement, most of which has been supporting the standing committee reports and motions in the House. The committee recommended that the government provide a privacy report.

In their response of October 19, 2012, the government tabled a detailed progress report on the work it has done on the committee’s access and privacy recommendations since 2008. Although the progress has been painfully slow in some areas, the committee found the report to be a useful tool in determining the government’s intentions and following up on key recommendations. Members commend the GNWT’s access and privacy office for their work on the progress report and would like to see an updated version on an annual basis.

Recommendation 4

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories table an updated progress report and implementation plan for the committee’s recommendations concerning access to information and protection of privacy presented in the House since 2008, during or before the fall of 2013 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I now turn the floor back to the chair of the committee, Mr. Nadli.