BC Bill Provides "Privacy for Polluters"

B.C.’s information and privacy commissioner says the government’s new climate-change legislation permits too much secrecy and should be changed before it becomes law.

David Loukidelis wrote to Environment Minister Barry Penner and Energy Minister Richard Neufeld last week, saying sections of two pieces of recently introduced legislation represent “a significant encroachment” on freedom of information laws.

This is a matter of significant concern, considering the importance of environmental protection measures relating to climate change and the need for openness and accountability in the monitoring and enforcement of such measures,” Loukidelis said.