Rob Shaw: B.C. cutting public access to decades-old government directory
The province says the change will cut cybersecurity and privacy risks while keeping public access to services through a separate government page.
- On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the B.C. Citizens' Services Ministry restricted public access to the government employee directory, citing cybersecurity threats from phishing attempts.
- Information has been published by the government since at least 1930, evolving from a 27-page document to a comprehensive online resource, though officials now cite proactive law enforcement advice regarding phishing.
- Ryan Mitton of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses criticized the decision, arguing the directory helps small business owners navigate government permits and that cybersecurity concerns could be addressed differently.
- Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey called the decision "regrettable," noting public bodies need a "human face," while Conservative Citizens' Services Critic Jody Toor argued privacy should not be an "excuse for government to operate behind closed doors."
- Other jurisdictions like Ontario and Washington maintain more open access to employee directories, highlighting B.C.'s shift toward restriction, which leaves taxpayers with fewer ways to identify decision-makers.
11 Articles
11 Articles
B.C. disables employee directory, leaving public in the dark about who works for gov't - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
The sudden removal of B.C.’s online government directory has left British Columbians with no way to find out who works for the province or how to contact them, despite those employees being paid with taxpayer dollars. The Citizens’ Services Ministry implemented the change without warning on Aug. 18, citing cybersecurity threats from phishing attempts. A spokesperson said the move was based on “proactive advice from law enforcement partners, incl…
B.C. disables employee directory, leaving public in the dark about who works for gov't - Grand Forks Gazette
The sudden removal of B.C.’s online government directory has left British Columbians with no way to find out who works for the province or how to contact them, despite those employees being paid with taxpayer dollars. The Citizens’ Services Ministry implemented the change without warning on Aug. 18, citing cybersecurity threats from phishing attempts. A spokesperson said the move was based on “proactive advice from law enforcement partners, incl…
B.C. disables employee directory, leaving public in the dark about who works for gov't - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
The sudden removal of B.C.’s online government directory has left British Columbians with no way to find out who works for the province or how to contact them, despite those employees being paid with taxpayer dollars. The Citizens’ Services Ministry implemented the change without warning on Aug. 18, citing cybersecurity threats from phishing attempts. A spokesperson said the move was based on “proactive advice from law enforcement partners, incl…
Vernon Morning Star
B.C. disables employee directory, leaving public in the dark about who works for gov't
The sudden removal of B.C.’s online government directory has left British Columbians with no way to find out who works for the province or how to contact them, despite those employees being paid with taxpayer dollars. The Citizens’ Services Ministry implemented the change without warning on Aug. 18, citing cybersecurity threats from phishing attempts. A spokesperson said the move was based on “proactive advice from law enforcement partners, incl…
Rob Shaw: B.C. cutting public access to decades-old government directory
The B.C. government is preparing to shut off public access to its online government directory, leaving taxpayers in the dark about who works for the province and the basic organizational structure of the government. The move will end a service the government has provided for decades, based on what i...
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