Debates of October 30, 2018 (day 46)

Date
October
30
2018
Session
18th Assembly, 3rd Session
Day
46
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Blake, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Ms. Green, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Hon. Alfred Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O'Reilly, Hon. Wally Schumann, Hon. Louis Sebert, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vanthuyne
Topics
Statements

Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to:

provide for the application of the act to municipalities that are designated in regulations;

clarify the types of records that are exempted from disclosure because the records would reveal confidences of the Executive Council or the Financial Management Board and provide for a similar exemption for records of municipalities;

allow for a compelling public interest to override particular statutory grounds for exemption from disclosure;

clarify timelines throughout the act so they are calculated using business days;

set out a process for the Information and Privacy Commissioner to consider requests from heads of public bodies to extend time limits for responding to requests for access;

address documents relating to human resources matters, including employee evaluation documents and workplace investigation documents;

clarify exemptions relating to business interests;

permit disclosure of information for delivery of a common or integrated program or service;

update the general powers of the Information and Privacy Commissioner;

provide for a review of the act every seven years; and

make other adjustments to the act to improve the language and enhance clarity.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Masi. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Bill 29 has had its second reading and is now referred to standing committee. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 89(3) and have Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, referred to the Standing Committee of Government Operations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Masi. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive rule 89(3) to have Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, referred to a Standing Committee on Government Operations.

---Unanimous consent granted

Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, is now referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations. Masi. Second reading of bills. Minister of Finance.