B.C. privacy commissioner orders province to disclose soil contamination tests

B.C.'s privacy commissioner is ordering the provincialgovernment to disclose soil test results related to a contaminated aquifer near Vernon.

Elizabeth Denham says the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act requires public bodies to proactively disclose information that is in the public interest.

Denham's report today into drinking water risks in the Hullcar Valley near Vernon orders the Environment Ministry to immediately disclose soil test results and nutrient management plans that permit the application of liquid manure on area farms.

• Read the commissioner's report, Clearly in the Public Interest: The Disclosure of Information Related to Water Quality in SpallumCheen

Denham launched an investigation earlier this year after receiving a complaint from Victoria's Environmental Law Centre calling on the government to disclose water quality information.

Environment Minister Mary Polak says in a statement her ministry accepts the order to release the soil test results and nutrient management plans.

Denham's report also recommends that ministry staff be trained to properly respond to access requests.