Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Proactive Disclosure

Committee's discussion with the IPC turned to the subject of "open government." The purpose of open government is to make information the government holds easily available to the public. A person would not need to make a special request for information. This makes government more accessible and accountable. It could also reduce ATIPP requests.

The IPC noted the benefits of government building access and privacy into programs, policies, and legislation as they are developed. This process is called "access by design" or "proactive disclosure." It helps ensure that the ability to access information or protect people's privacy exists from the beginning.

Committee believes that the GNWT needs to make a clear commitment to open government. As a result, the committee recommends:

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the GNWT update committee on work to develop a standard approach to including "access by design" principles into the design of communications, programs, policies, and legislation. Committee requests details on how the GNWT will formalize and share the standard approach with GNWT staff.

Stopping the Use of Fax Machines in the Health Sector

Committee and the IPC remain concerned about the use of faxes to share personal health information. Committee is aware this is an issue across Canada. In fact, our healthcare system links with Alberta may prevent changes in this area. However, committee believes the health sector must begin to adopt practices that provide greater privacy protections.

Therefore, committee recommends:

Recommendation 4

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop and implement a plan for ending the use of fax machines in the health and social services sector.

The Potential Privacy Impacts of COVID-19

Committee questioned the IPC about the effect COVID-19 has had on the GNWT's response times to ATIPP requests. The IPC said she had not seen any deemed refusals because of COVID-19. The IPC did caution committee about the pandemic's potential risks to privacy. She pointed to contact tracing apps used by governments. The IPC noted she had not received a privacy impact assessment on any of the GNWT's COVID-19 responses.

Committee cautions the government to be mindful of privacy concerns as it responds to the pandemic.

I will pass the reading of the report on to the Member for Deh Cho. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.