Debates of February 8, 2024 (day 4)

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Statements

Question 26-20(1): Delay in Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been in the news recently that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs was recently ordered by the Information and Privacy Commissioner to provide disclosure to an access request. And I use the term "recently" loosely because they were six months behind their deadline.

Can the Minister respecting the privacy of the parties involved, can the Minister tell us why there was such an egregious delay in getting one of our citizens access to the information they rightfully deserve? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All I can tell you is on behalf of MACA, we have two staff that deal with access to information and they address those in the timely manner that they come in, and they work hard to try to get those processed through to get to the other departments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, are these two fulltime access to information and protection privacy coordinators, or are they do they have other duties in the department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MACA has two dedicated positions solely dealing with ATIPP requests. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is that enough given the slow response time and the increase in requests; is two enough? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a very good question. As I stated, speaking to my department they work hard to get those timelines achieved based on the two staff that they have and look forward to more discussion if need be. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.

Mr. Speaker, the department didn't respond or didn't request an extension when this matter was delayed. Can the Minister respond why his hardworking staff were unable to do so? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not aware of our department requesting an extension, and I'm not sure if that's part of that process. I'd have to confirm that through our department. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.