Amendments passed in November 1999 to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act required an advisory committee to be constituted within three years of passage (November 22, 2002). A previous advisory committee had been mandated by the legislation passed in 1993 and proclaimed July 1, 1994. The previous advisory committee reported in March of 1996. The N.S. Government introduced legislation in the fall of 1999 with passage and final proclamation of amendments on November 23, 1999. The legislation and policy changes implemented responded to many, if not most, of the recommendations in the Advisory Committee Report.

Mandate

To begin a comprehensive review of the Act pursuant to Section 50 within one year of its appointment, and to provide a written report to the Governor in Council by March 31, 2004 with recommendations for amendment to the legislation and any additional designation of "public bodies" under clause 49(1)(f) of the Act. In conducting its review, and in making recommendations, the committee shall:

• Consider Nova Scotia's experience with the Act in accordance with its stated purpose and any need for improvement to the legislation;
• Identify and make recommendations on issues of interpretation with the current legislation;
• Specifically review the adequacy of the privacy protection provisions of the legislation;
• Examine recent legislative change and/recommendations for legislative change in other jurisdictions in Canada and consider their possible application to Nova Scotia; and
• Publicly invite submissions.

Submissions

The following individuals or organizations provided written submissions on their views about the legislation and changes that should be considered:

• Darce Fardy, Review Officer
• Follow - up letter, Darce Fardy, Review Officer
• Impact of FOIPOP Fee Increases in Nova Scotia, Darce Fardy, Review Officer
• August 2003 - Supplementary Submission, Darce Fardy, Review Officer
• Michel Samson, Liberal Justice Critic
• Debbie Kampen, Town of Trenton
• Paul Schneiderereit, Canadian Association of Journalists
• Connie Brauer
• Dean Beeby, Canadian Press/Broadcast News
• Murray MacDonald - Portions of the following submission have been severed as it is the view of the committee that they are statements or opinions that are personally critical in nature and should not be disseminated as part of the overall submission through the web site.
• Mary Bowen
• Karen Crombie, The Council of NS University Presidents
• Supplementary Submission, Karen Crombie, The Council of NS University Presidents
• Anthony Weagle - Portions of the following submission have been severed as it is the view of the committee that they are statements or opinions that are personally critical in nature and should not be disseminated as part of the overall submission through the web site.
• Darrell Dexter, NDP Caucus Office
• Joint submission by: Victoria Rees, NS Barristers' Society; Cameron Little, College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS; Carolyn Moore, College of Registered Nurses of NS; Robert Coswill, Chartered Accountants of NS; and D.M. Bonang, Provincial Dental Board of NS
• Dale Dunlop, Walker Dunlop
• Joan Jessome, NS Government and General Employees Union
• Mark Butler, Ecology Action Centre
• D.M. Bonang, Provincial Dental Board of NS
• Nancy Milford, Capital District Health Authority
• George Sutherland, Michelin
• Nova Scotia FOIPOP Government Administrators
• Nova Scotia FOIPOP Government Administrators Supplementary Submission
• Kenzie MacKinnon, Bloomfield Neighbourhood Residents Association

Meeting Minutes

• 1st Meeting - January 9, 2003 @ 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• 2nd Meeting - January 24, 2003 @ 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• 3rd Meeting - February 14, 2003 @ 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• 4th Meeting - March 7, 2003 @ 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• 5th Meeting - March 25, 2003 @ 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 6th Meeting - May 1, 2003 @ 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• 7th Meeting - May 28, 2003 @ 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• 8th Meeting - July 15, 2003 @ 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• 9th Meeting - July 29, 2003 @ 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• 10th Meeting - August 20, 2003 @ 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Budget

Honorarium (25 meeting X $550) Note: Three Committee members only; civil servants not paid honoraria	$13,750.00
Travel (7 persons x 5 out of town meetings x $700) Note: Includes travel costs of civil servants	$24,500.00
Mileage - Out of town committee member (15 x $100)	$1,500.00
Ad Requesting Submissions (Six NS Dailies)	$2,700.00
Meeting expenses (food, beverage, room) (15 x $100 plus 5 x $200)	$2,500.00
Other (experts, out or province travel printing, postage, telephone, etc.)	$2,000.00
Total	$46,950.00

 

Committee Members

Peter O'Brien, Chair; Keith Corcoran; Jim Meek; Susan Potts; and
William Wilson were the members of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Advisory Committee.

The Report

The committee submitted its report on October 24, 2003 and on May 10, 2004 the government response to the committee's recommendation were tabled