News release

FOIPOP Review Committee Named

Justice

A five-person committee will review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act as required by the legislation. The committee can recommend changes or improvements relating to the act and its scope.

Peter O'Brien of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business will chair the committee. He will be joined by Jim Meek, public affairs consultant and former journalist; Susan Potts, FOIPOP administrator with the Office of Economic Development and the Public Prosecution Service; Keith Corcoran, a reporter at the Bridgewater Bulletin; and Bill Wilson, executive director, Legal Services, with the Department of Justice. Provincial FOIPOP co- ordinator Robert Doherty will provide technical and administrative support to the committee.

"One of the first things we did as a government was implement the report of the first review committee, which was chaired by journalist Dean Jobb," said Justice Minister Michael Baker. "I have every confidence that this committee will provide some equally beneficial suggestions."

Under Section 50 of the act, the committee is required to conduct a comprehensive review of the act. The committee will also be asked to specifically review the adequacy of the privacy protection provisions of the legislation. Interested parties or members of the public will be welcome to make submissions to the committee.