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MattersAdministrationBylaw No. 2195First seen Jun 17, 2024Last discussed Aug 19, 2024

Freedom of Information bylaw amendment

Adopted

The amendment changes the City's Freedom of Information bylaw, which governs requests for access to city records. The rules affect how residents seek information held by the City.

Where it stands: Amendment adopted Aug 19, 2024.

Governing bylawNo. 1925In force

Freedom of Information Bylaw

Residents can request City records under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Requests may involve a $10.00 application fee and other fees for finding, preparing, shipping or copying records; requests for your own personal information are exempt from these fees.

Key rules and full textOfficial PDF

Background

Earlier and later steps of the same initiative.

  1. Sep 8, 2020 – Oct 5, 2020

    Freedom of Information bylaw

    The updated bylaw assigns the Corporate Officer and Manager of Legislative Services as the City’s privacy heads, aligning the rules with current practice and provincial law. It also references the provincial fee schedule so provincial changes can take effect without a bylaw amendment.

Timeline

Every time this matter appeared in council records, newest first.

  1. August 19, 2024· Council

    Freedom of Information bylaw amendment adopted

    Council adopted Bylaw No. 2195 (Freedom of Information bylaw amendment); the motion recorded opposition from Mayor Goodmanson, Councillor Guiry, and Councillor Wagner.

    Decision: Adopted the Freedom of Information bylaw amendment, despite recorded opposition.

    Adopted 4–3· Against: Scott Goodmanson, Mary Wagner, Kimberley Guiry

    Documents

  2. July 15, 2024· Council

    Freedom of Information bylaw amendment receives three readings

    Council gave Bylaw No. 2195 first, second and third readings (Freedom of Information Bylaw amendment).

    Decision: Gave first, second and third readings to the Freedom of Information bylaw amendment.

    Passed 5–2· Against: Mary Wagner, Kimberley Guiry

  3. June 17, 2024·Public comment
    • W. Bowers (Langford)Opposes · FOI requests
      Opposes a $10 FOI fee, warning that it could burden residents with limited means and undermine transparency and accountability.
    • R. Louie (Langford)Opposes · FOI requests
      Supports no FOI fee, arguing that a charge could create barriers to democracy, accountability, and public participation.
    • Mike Morton (Langford)Opposes · FOI requests
      Questions labeling FOI requests frivolous, attributes increased requests to transparency concerns, and suggests staff communications support instead of another hire.
    • Bev Solstrom (Langford)Asks · FOI requests
      Questions how a proposed FOI fee fits the promise of freedom of information and asks about councillors’ past experience with extensive requests.
    • M. Wignell (Selwyn Road)Mixed · FOI requests and Portuguese Park
      Warns that a $10 fee may not deter requests, criticizes limited opportunities to get answers, and supports Portuguese Park while correcting purchase dates and asking about home deconstruction.
    • Wendy Hawks (Luxon Road)Concerned · FOI requests and construction policy
      Criticizes redacted sidewalk records and transparency, questions development infrastructure decisions, and welcomes robust public engagement on construction policy.
    • Cypher (Langford)Opposes · FOI requests
      Supports no FOI fee, arguing that access to information enables transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation.
    • Elle Plomp (Langford)Mixed · 775 Latoria subdivision and FOI requests
      Raises concerns about tree loss, creek culverting, and access at 775 Latoria, supports construction policy work, and suggests improving public records access to reduce FOI demand.
    • S. Rossander (Langford)Opposes · FOI requests
      Supports no FOI fee, questions whether three weekly requests overwhelm the city, and asks why recent records-management improvements have not eased processing.
    • J. Ferguson (Langford)Opposes · FOI requests
      Opposes an FOI fee as a barrier to a fundamental right and recommends reviewing information-processing practices before imposing charges.
    • Bernadette Armstrong (Rodney Road)Concerned · FOI requests and 775 Latoria subdivision
      Supports no FOI fee and questions the 775 Latoria proposal’s creek culverting, tree removal, and potential maintenance liabilities for future owners.
    • Lisa Foxall (Langford)Opposes · FOI requests
      Opposes the FOI fee, criticizes the report’s research and use of “frivolous,” and asks the city to improve access and publish FOI responses.