Assembly Vote
12th Assembly, 6th SessionApril 7, 1994
Motion Sponsor
Bill 6
Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Bill Sponsor:
Stephen Kakfwi
Last Stage Completed:
Law (Assent given) (Oct. 21, 1994)
Topic
Motion Text
Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that Bill 6, Access to Information & Protection of Privacy Act be read for the second time. This bill provides the public with the right to access information held by government, subject to specific and limited exceptions. Government departments and agencies are obliged to process applications for access to information and to provide the information within the time frames set out in the act.
The bill also controls the manner in which the government may collect and use personal information about individuals and regulates the disclosure of that information to the public. Individuals are given the right to access information about themselves and to request a correction of inaccurate, personal information.
The bill provides that the Commissioner and the Executive Council will appoint an Access and Privacy Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly. The Access and Privacy Commissioner will have the power to review decisions of government under the act, including decisions to deny a request for information and decisions to provide an applicant with information that may prejudice the interests of third parties.
The Access and Privacy Commissioner will make recommendations to the government at the conclusion of a review and the government will be required to respond to those recommendations. The decision of the government at that time to accede to or refuse a request for access to information may be appealed to the Supreme Court. Thank you.