[0.00-5.94] Well, the BC government is shutting down public access to the government employee directories
[5.94-11.42] saying RCMP recommended the move amid cybersecurity concerns.
[11.42-15.94] Jordan Armstrong is here now with more on the changes and why some say this is fueling
[15.94-19.22] transparency concerns, Jordan.
[19.22-23.50] So if you for as long as anyone can remember, the government has had a directory allowing
[23.50-28.58] the public to see who works in each department along with contact information.
[28.58-33.66] People news use the directory in February to tally up and report to you that the government
[33.66-41.10] had 152 ministerial public affairs officers, managers and directors, PR people whose job
[41.10-43.50] it is to push the government line.
[43.50-48.70] We check several provinces today and all have a directory in some form or another.
[48.70-54.50] Alberta has removed email addresses but still has names, titles and phone numbers of civil
[54.50-55.50] servants.
[55.50-60.38] BC now appears to be the only province with no public directory.
[60.38-66.58] The official explanation quote given the increasing cyber threat environment, we receive proactive
[66.58-71.98] advice from law enforcement partners, including the RCMP to take this action.
[71.98-76.14] Here's what three opposition MLA's think of the change.
[76.14-80.50] The public has the right to understand how the government is structured, who is responsible
[80.50-85.34] for making these decisions and how taxpayer funded ministries and services are being
[85.34-86.34] managed.
[86.34-87.34] I'm split.
[87.34-93.94] On one hand, I think that we have to recognize that there is a risk to cyber security.
[93.94-100.10] People can be harassed as a result of the public having access to personal information about
[100.10-103.82] where you work and other types of details about your employment.
[103.82-107.94] But on the other hand, we're dealing with a government that is incredibly secretive.
[107.94-111.34] In one sense, it comes as a big surprise.
[111.34-114.38] In another sense, it doesn't.
[114.38-122.70] This is the latest in a bunch of steps by the government to move away from open government.
[122.70-128.34] Jordan Robb-Botterall said this is just the latest of the steps.
[128.34-130.86] What else is he referring to?
[130.86-135.94] Botterall led the team, a drafted BC's Freedom of Information and Privacy Act in the 1990s.
[135.94-141.22] But three months ago, the government moved ahead with legislation, weakening BC's FY law.
[141.22-144.50] Giving bureaucrats more power to reject requests.
[144.50-147.54] They deemed to be too much work or a nuisance.
[147.54-150.82] Diana Gibson is the Minister of Citizen Services.
[150.82-153.22] She was not made available for an interview today.
[153.22-154.22] Sophie?
[154.22-155.22] All right.
[155.22-156.42] Thanks for that Jordan Armstrong reporting tonight.