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Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 23-03
The applicant asked the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education (public body) for his daughter's paper school records. The public body provided the applicant with a package of responsive records. The applicant believed that the package was missing records and asked the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the public body's search efforts. The Commissioner finds that the applicant has not provided evidence that additional records exist and so concludes that the public body has conducted an adequate search as required by s. 7(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. She recommends the public body take no further action in response to the applicant's access to information request. Read more...
Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 23-02
The applicant asked the South Shore Regional Centre for Education (public body) for records about an investigation into allegations that he had made. The public body provided the applicant with a package of responsive records. The applicant believed that the package was missing records and asked the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the public body's search efforts. The Commissioner finds that the applicant has not provided evidence that additional records exist and so concludes that the public body has conducted an adequate search as required by s. 7(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. She recommends the public body take no further action in response to the applicant's access to information request. Read more...
NEWS RELEASE
Commissioner's investigation calls for Nova Scotia Health to take action to prevent future privacy breaches
HALIFAX - In her investigation report issued today (IR23-01), Information and Privacy Commissioner Tricia Ralph calls on Nova Scotia Health (NSH) to improve its practices to prevent employees from looking at the personal information of its patients for non-treatment purposes (commonly referred to as "snooping"). Read more...
Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 23-01
The applicant requested internal records related to a license/lease application that was submitted by a third party to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (public body). The public body relied on s. 17(1)(d) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (financial or economic interests) to withhold the requested records in full. The Commissioner finds that the public body did not meet its burden of establishing that s. 17(1)(d) applies and recommends that the public body release the records after removing the information that the applicant is not interested in and the personal information of third parties. Read more...
Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 22-16
The Municipality of the County of Pictou (Municipality) did not issue a decision to the applicant in response to an application for access to a record within the legislated time period required by Part XX of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The Municipality did extend the time to respond to the applicant but did not issue a decision by the new due date. The applicant appealed to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia. The Commissioner finds that the Municipality is in violation of s. 467 of the MGA. She recommends that the Municipality issue its decision to the applicant within 30 days of the date of this report. Read more...
Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 22-15
The Town of Trenton (Town) did not issue a decision to the applicant in response to an application for access to a record within the legislated time period required by Part XX of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The applicant appealed to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia. While the Town did issue a partial decision during this review process to the applicant, because there are outstanding records still awaiting a disclosure decision, the Commissioner finds that the Town is in violation of s. 467 of the MGA. She recommends the Town issue its decision to the applicant within 30 days of the date of this report. Read more...
Department of Justice mandate includes amendment to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Premier Houston's September 14, 2021 mandate letter to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice includes a requirement to amend the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP) to give order-making ability to Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner: September 14, 2021 Ministerial Mandate - Department of Justice and Attorney General
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is willing to provide input and guidance to the government as it moves ahead with this amendment to FOIPOP, or any other important amendments the OIPC has recommended to modernize Nova Scotia's outdated access to information and privacy laws.
New/Updated Publications Now Available
Tips for Addressing Employee Snooping
Graphic Novel - Social Smarts: Nothing Personal!
2022-2023 French-language Service Plan / Plan de services en français 2022-2023
Know Your Rights: Glossary of Privacy Terms (Personal Health Information Act)
Questions about Nova Scotia's Proof of Full Vaccination Policy
