News release

Province Adopts Most FOIPOP Recommendations

Justice

The provincial government has accepted in whole or in part, 32 of 47 recommendations made by the advisory committee that reviewed the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP). Another five recommendations will be studied further.

Justice Minister Michael Baker today, May 10, tabled government's response to the committee's recommendations.

Fees would be eliminated for the first two hours of processing time and for any review. That's a potential saving of $85 per application.

"These are further improvements to our legislation, which has already been acknowledged by the courts to be among the most progressive freedom-of-information legislation in Canada," said Justice Minister Michael Baker. "We have an open, fair process that helps Nova Scotians get the information they're looking for, while protecting fundamental principles of privacy."

"We will take immediate steps to put the fee changes in place," said Mr. Baker. "We will also make legislative or regulatory changes either this session or in the fall to implement other recommendations we've accepted. I am also fulfilling my commitment to begin tabling annual reports on the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act."

Mr. Baker said he appreciates the contribution of the five-member advisory committee, and those organizations and individuals that made written or verbal submissions.

The advisory committee included:

  • Peter O'Brien (chair), executive director, Atlantic Region, Canadian Federation of Independent Business(now retired);
  • Keith Corcoran, journalist with the Bridgewater Bulletin;
  • Jim Meek, journalist and public affairs consultant;
  • Susan Potts, Crown attorney and FOIPOP administrator for the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service;
  • Bill Wilson, executive director of legal services, Nova Scotia Department of Justice.

The committee issued its report on Oct. 24, 2003.

Mr. Baker also tabled two other documents: the 2003 annual report on the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which includes statistics covering 1994-2003; and a corporate audit which showed that all but two of 36 government bodies had implemented routine access policies by last October's deadline. That policy helps people get information without the need to make a formal application through the Freedom of Information Act.

Between Oct. 23, 2003 and March 31, 2004, there were more than 620 requests for information under the Routine Access Policy.