2.8 Freedom of Information and Protection of
Privacy Flags
All Personal Information Banks (PIB) and Public Use Records (PUR) must
be flagged within BC Government records classification systems (see
glossary for definitions of PIB and PUR).
The flags are placed in the left-hand column, directly in front of the
relevant secondary. In the sample primary, the extraterrestrial
registrant case files secondary (-20) is flagged as a PIB.
In certain instances, a more specific justification as to why the
information contained in a record series is restricted, in whole or in part,
from public disclosure is required for inclusion in the records classification
system. In those cases, a special form of explanatory note ("FOI =") is
used to explain the access restrictions for the secondary and to point to the
section of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(RSBC 1996, c. 165) that allows for the exemption. In the sample primary,
the visits by unidentified extraterrestrials secondary (-04) has an FOI note
which quotes section 15 (1)(b) of the Act to justify restricting access.
For further information about FOI issues, see
3.10.
