(NOTE: This electronic version of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's Annual Report 1996-97 includes corrections for clerical errors that exist in the printed copy.)

July 29, 1997

The Honourable Speaker
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 1X4

Dear Honourable Speaker Lovick:
Pursuant to section 51 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, I have the honour to present my fourth Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly. This report covers the period from April 1, 1996 to March 31, 1997.

Sincerely,

David H. Flaherty
Commissioner


TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE

II. DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

III. INTRODUCTION
Background
The Commissioner
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Public Bodies

IV. REQUESTS FOR REVIEW
Introduction
The Request for Review Process
Requests for Review Flow Chart
Samples of Recent Mediated Requests for Review

V. COMPLAINTS
Introduction
The Complaint Process
Complaints Flow Chart
Samples of Recent Complaints

VI. STATISTICAL OVERVIEW
Introduction
General Statistics
Applicant Statistics
Public Body Statistics
Settlement of Cases
Statistics of the Commissioner's Office as a Public Body

VII. COMMISSIONER's ORDERS
Introduction
The Formal Inquiry Process
Orders and Compliance
Judicial Reviews
Formal Inquiry Flow Chart
Availability of Commissioner's Orders
Sample Summaries of Recent Orders

VIII. SECTION 43 AUTHORIZATIONS
Introduction
The Section 43 Authorization Process
Sample Section 43 Authorizations

IX. INVESTIGATION REPORTS
Introduction
Sample Summaries of Recent Investigation Reports

X. SITE VISITS
Introduction
Format for a Site Visit
Site Visits to Particular Public Bodies

XI. PROVIDING ADVICE
Introduction
The Advice-Giving Process
Recent Matters for Advice

XII. INFORMING THE PUBLIC
Introduction
Conferences
Information and Privacy Rights Brochure
Research Report: Information and Privacy in Cultural Communities
Web Site

XIII. TOWARDS THE FUTURE
The Four-Year Legislative Review of the
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Private Sector Data Protection

APPENDIX A - Financial Statement
APPENDIX B - Staff of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
APPENDIX C - Office Organizational Chart
APPENDIX D - Chronological Table of Orders
APPENDIX E - Table of Concordance (Between the Orders and the Act)
APPENDIX F - Table of Public Bodies that were the Subject of Orders
APPENDIX G - How to Contact the Commissioner's Office

GLOSSARY OF TERMS