Former Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis resigned on January 19 after over a decade in the position. For whatever reason, a replacement wasn’t named. Without a Commissioner in place, work in the department had stopped. Ground to a halt. In the words of the Times Colonist, it left “British Columbians with no independent office to hold the government accountable after the previous commissioner resigned to take up a new post.”

The matter was rectified a week later, but only after a combination of embarrassment and pressure forced the government to name an interim head. They still won’t say why the delay happened, and frankly, it’s embarrassing that a government that portends to be open and accountable is so flippant when it comes to making sure watchdog agencies can run efficiently.

So, what does the ineffectiveness of an independent body which monitors and enforces the grey area between public and private organizations have to do with you? In the summertime, it was decided UBC must release records for three of its profit-raising entities if requested to under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Nine months later, the university ain’t budging. In fact, they’ve appealed to the BC Supreme Court to overturn the ruling, arguing that despite the university owning 100 per cent of Properties Trust, it shouldn’t be considered a public body.

Those who believe in the public accountability and openness of information can only hope that the court rules against UBC. Even then, there’s no guarantee that the government won’t refuse to recognize the ruling—remember the parking ticket fiasco?

The bottom line is that freedom of information, openness and checks and balances are fundamental to a free and functioning society. In this province and with this university, though, such ideals seem disposable.