Information Access & Privacy (FOIPOP)

The Minister of Justice is the Minister responsible for the administration of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP).

The Nova Scotia Information Access and Privacy (IAP) Office (formerly called the FOIPOP Coordinator's Office) assists government public bodies in the day-to-day application of the Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act and associated regulations and the Personal Information International Disclosure Protection Act (PIIDPA) Act, and promotes best practices related to information access and privacy administration across government in general. It is also responsible for IAP administration (including FOIPOP) for the Department of Justice.

The work of the office is designed to ensure that there is a consistent and accountable interpretation of the legislation throughout the government. This involves providing advice and assistance to FOIPOP Administrators in N.S. Government Departments, agencies, boards and commissions. In keeping with its best practices role, the IAP Office provides information, education, scheduled training, and guidance to local public bodies (e.g. school boards, universities, and district health authorities) and municipalities (including local police services). The office also produces statistics on FOIPOP applications for the annual FOIPOP Act report issued by the Minister of Justice and has been the leader in the implementation of a government’s Routine Access policy to provide access to certain categories of information without going through the formal FOIPOP process. Finally, it is the lead in the development of amendments to existing access and privacy legislation.

The IAP Office is located in the Policy and Information Management Division within the Department of Justice, but has both a government-wide and Justice mandate