FOIPOP Act Advisory Committee Seeking Input

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act Advisory Committee wants to hear from Nova Scotians. The committee is reviewing the act and, if necessary, will make recommendations for change to the governor-in-council before March 31, 2004.

The committee is inviting public submissions on the current legislation. Those intending to contribute must notify committee chair Peter O'Brien in writing by Friday, March 21, 2003. Both written submissions and oral presentations will be accepted.

Written submissions can be sent to Mr. O'Brien at FOIPOP Advisory Committee, c/o Nova Scotia Department of Justice, 5151 Terminal Rd., P.O. Box 7, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2L6; or by e-mail to foiadvcm@gov.ns.ca . All written submissions will be posted on the Department of Justice Web site, unless there is a request to do otherwise.

"Our intention is to make this an open and transparent process, and to generate as much public discussion around our work as possible," Mr. O'Brien said. "We also plan to post minutes of all our meetings on the Web site so that the progress of the committee can be viewed by interested persons on a regular basis."

Information on the committee, its mandate, membership and guidelines for submissions can be found on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/just/foi/advcm.htm .