FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY

Headquarters: 33589 Delair Road. Abbotsford. British Columbia V2S 5Y1 (608) 859-7141

December 2, 1992

The Honourable Robin Blencoe

Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation
and Housing

Room 306, Parliament Buildings

Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4

Dear Mr. Minister:

As the Chairman of the Fraser Valley Regional Library Board I find myself in two minds
over recent actions by your government in passing the Freedom of Information and Privacy
Act. On the one hand I want to congratulate your government in the passing of this
legislation and on the other, I must express my extreme disappointment that a B.C.
Government Publication Library Depository Program was not included in the legislation.

As a library trustee and as 2 municipal politician, lam aware of the importance of the wide

range of government publications and how essential easy access to the information that they
contain is to the everyday lives of the people of our province.

As you are aware, your government publishes an extensive range of publications which have
very specific uses to people whether they are pursuing their education, developing a
business, seeking employment, or seeking to support their everyday lifestyle. Easy access
to this information is vital in a democracy such as ours.

I urge you to introduce a B.C. Government Publication Library Depository Program in
amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act during Phase il
of the legislation in the Spring of 1993.

Thank you for giving this matter your consideration.

Councillor E. Weir Muir
Chairman
Fraser Valley Regional Library Board

CC- As Attached