HALIFAX - Today, Tricia Ralph, Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner, released her annual report for 2023-2024. Read more...

2023-2024 OIPC Annual Report

Canadian privacy regulators launch principles for responsible development and use of generative AI

OTTAWA, ON, December 8, 2023 - Federal, provincial and territorial privacy authorities have developed a set of principles to advance the responsible, trustworthy and privacy-protective development and use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in Canada. Read more...

Related document: Principles for responsible, trustworthy and privacy-protective generative AI technologies

QUÉBEC, QC, October 6, 2023 - Privacy authorities from across the country are calling on their respective governments to improve privacy legislation to protect young people and employees - groups that are significantly vulnerable, each in their own way to the growing influence of digital technologies. Read more...

Joint Resolution:  Putting best interests of young people at the forefront of privacy and access to personal information

Joint Resolution:  Protecting Employee Privacy in the Modern Workplace

Companion Documents:

1. Putting best interests of young people at the forefront of privacy and access to personal information

2. How organizations can help protect young people online

HALIFAX - Tricia Ralph, Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner, is pleased to hear that the Nova Scotia Government has announced the creation of a working group to focus on modernization of Nova Scotia's access to information and privacy laws. Updating Nova Scotia's legislation is something the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) has long been advocating for. The OIPC looks forward to sharing its expertise and suggestions throughout the consultation process. Read more...

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...

Investigation Report IR23-01

Background and Report Summary

Joint resolution by federal, provincial and territorial privacy commissioners regarding the right to privacy, protection of personal information, and transparency in the digital ecosystem in Canada

HALIFAX - In a joint resolution yesterday, Canada's information and privacy regulators called on their respective governments and other stakeholders to ensure that privacy rights, the protection of personal information, and transparency are full respected throughout the design, operation, and ongoing evolution of a digital identity ecosystem in Canada. Read more...

Joint Resolution: Ensuring the Right to Privacy and Transparency in the Digital Ecosystem in Canada

News Release

Privacy regulators call for legal framework limiting police use of facial recognition technology

GATINEAU, QC, May 2, 2022 - The heads of Canada's privacy protection authorities today issued a joint statement recommending legislators develop a legal framework that establishes clearly and explicitely the circumstances in which police use of facial recognition may be acceptable. Read more...

Recommended legal framework for police agencies' use of facial recognition - Joint Statement by Federal, Provincial and Territorial Privacy Commissioners

Privacy guidance on facial recognition for police agencies

News release

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Information and Privacy Commissioners and Ombudsman Issue Joint Resolution About Privacy and Access to Information Rights During and After a Pandemic

June 2, 2021 - In a joint resolution, Canada's Information and Privacy regulators called on their respective governments to respect Canadians' quasi-constitutional rights to privacy and access to information. The regulators took note of the serious impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the right of access to information and privacy rights in Canada and called on governments to use the lessons learned during the pandemic to improve these rights. Read more...

Joint Resolution: Reinforcing Privacy and Access to Information Rights During and After a Pandemic

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

April 12, 2021

Privacy Commissioner initiates investigation into potential breach of inmate privacy by an employee of the Department of Justice's Correctional Services

HALIFAX - Information and Privacy Commissioner Tricia Ralph has launched an investigation following a news report alleging that an employee of the Department of Justice's Correctional Services recorded a video of an inmate and shared it to a social media platform along with comments that included the sensitive personal information of the inmate. Read more...

​NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

​August 7, 2020

​HALIFAX - Information and Privacy Commissioner Tricia Ralph has launched an investigation following the recent disclosure of multiple instances of employees accessing medical records without valid reason at the Nova Scotia Health Authority.  Read more...

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

May 7, 2020

Joint statement by federal, provincial and territorial privacy commissioners regarding the use of contact tracing and similar apps to address covid-19

HALIFAX - In an effort to combat the spread of covid-19, government and public health authorities are looking for novel ways to use technologies to limit the pandemic. One of the tools being considered is contact tracing applications. These tools are not without risks to the right to privacy. The issues contact tracing or similar apps raise must be carefully considered before such tools are implemented.  Read more...

Joint Resolution:  Supporting public health, building public trust: Privacy principles for contact tracing and similar apps

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

February 5, 2020

New Information & Privacy Commissioner (Review Officer) Appointed

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner welcomes the news of Tricia Ralph's appointment to fill the role of Review Officer under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Part XX of the Municipal Government Act, the Privacy Review Officer Act, and the Personal Health Information Act.  Read more...

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

November 6, 2019

Canada's access to information and privacy guardians urge governments to modernize legislation to better protect Canadians

GATINEAU, QC, - Information and Privacy Ombudspersons and Commissioners from across Canada are urging their governments to modernize access to information and privacy laws.  Read more...

Joint Resolution:  Effective privacy and access to information legislation in a data driven society

​MEDIA ADVISORY

​June 4, 2019

Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia to release 2018-2019 Annual Report

​HALIFAX - On Wednesday, June 5, at 9:00 a.m., Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia Catherine Tully will release the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia's 2018-2019 Annual Report.  This will be Commissioner Tully's final Annual Report.  She will retire at the end of her appointment on August 31, 2019.  Read more...

Media Advisory

January 14, 2019

N.S. Information and Privacy Commissioner to release investigation report concerning privacy breaches of the Department of Internal Services Freedom of Information Access website

HALIFAX - On Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 8:30 a.m., Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia Catherine Tully will release an investigation report concerning privacy breaches of the Department of Internal Services Freedom of Information access website.  Read more...

​News Release

Canada's Access to Information and Privacy Guardians Call for Privacy Regulation and Oversight of Political Parties

Regina, SK, September 17, 2018​ - In a joint resolution, Canada's Information and Privacy Ombudspersons and Commissioners have called on governments to pass legislation requiring political parties to comply with globally recognized privacy principles, to provide Canadians with access to the personal information they hold about them, and to provide for independent oversight to verify and enforce privacy compliance.  Read more...

Joint resolution:  Securing Trust and Privacy in Canada's Electoral Process

MEDIA ADVISORY

July 31, 2018

N.S. Information and Privacy Commissioner to release two investigation reports concerning privacy breaches of the Nova Scotia Drug Information System

HALIFAX - On Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia Catherine Tully will release two investigation reports concerning privacy breaches of the provincial Drug Information System.  Read more...

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

October 12, 2017

HALIFAX - Inadequate passwords and insufficient technical controls led to video surveillance images of schoolchildren being live streamed on the internet, says Catherine Tully, Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner, in a new report issued today.  Read more...

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

September 26, 2017

Nova Scotia access to information pioneer Darce Fardy wins national award

HALIFAX - Today, former Review Officer Darce Fardy was awarded the Grace-Pépin Award, recognizing his tireless advocacy for Nova Scotians' access to information rights.  Nova Scotia's current Information and Privacy Commissioner, Catherine Tully, extends her congratulations.  Read more...

MEDIA ADVISORY

June 26, 2017

Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia to release 2016-2017 Annual Report and recommendations for modernizing Nova Scotia's access and privacy laws.

HALIFAX - On Tuesday, June 27, at 9:00 a.m., Information and Privacy Commissioner Catherine Tully will release her 2016-2017 Annual Report.  As part of the report, Commissioner Tully will also release a companion report that makes recommendations for modernizing Nova Scotia's access and privacy laws.

The reports will be available for download at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27 at oipc.novascotia.ca.

A news release will be issued summarizing the report. More

NEWS RELEASE

November 23, 2016

Commissioner's investigation determines that faxing failures put sensitive mental health information at risk.

HALIFAX - Three separate breaches of sensitive mental health information have led Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Catherine Tully, to call for improvements in how the health system transmits personal health information.  In a new report issued today, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) examined three separate incidents in 2015 and 2016 in which mental health referral forms were mistakenly faxed to a private business.  The report draws attention to the obligations private practice physicians and the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) have to ensure that personal health information in their control is transmitted carefully. Read more...

Read Investigation Report IR16-02

For immediate release

September 27, 2016

Commissioner issues new instant messaging guide

HALIFAX - It is International Right to Know Week, and so Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Catherine Tully, has issued guidance to help ensure citizens continue to have a meaningful right to access government information.  

Smartphones, instant messaging and personal email accounts are offering government employees increasing flexibility to work from home and make decisions anywhere.  This can create confusion when citizens look to exercise their access to information rights for those same records.  Read more...

Instant Messaging and Personal Email Accounts Guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

September 22, 2016

Privacy regulators study finds Internet of Things shortfalls

HALIFAX - Six in ten Internet of Things devices don't properly tell customers how their personal information is being used, an international study has found.

The study, by 25 data protection regulators around the world, looked at devices like smart electricity meters, internet-connected thermostats and watches that monitor health, and considered how well companies communicate privacy matters to their customers.  Read more...

GPEN Privacy Sweep Backgrounder

Announcement

Information Commissioners call on governments to create a duty to document

March 1, 2016 - Canada's Information Commissioners have called on their respective governments to create a legislated duty requiring public entities to document matters related to their deliberations, actions and decisions.  Read more...

Link to Joint Resolution

Link to Backgrounder

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

February 11, 2016

N.S. Information and Privacy Commissioner releases investigation report about disclosure of former cabine minister's personal information

HALIFAX - In an investigation report released today, Catherine Tully, Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner finds that the Office of the Premier was in violation of Nova Scotia's privacy law when the former Chief of Staff publicly disclosed personal information of a former cabinet minister.  The report recommends changes that will strengthen and modernize the Office of the Premier's privacy controls.   Read more...

For immediate release

September 24, 2015

Halifax - Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner announces Right to Know Week plans

Monday, September 28, kicks off Right to Know Week in over 40 countries around the world.  Catherine Tully, Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia, joins them in recognizing this critical part of democratic government.  Read more...

Review Officer releases 2014-2015 Annual Report 

Today Catherine Tully, Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer, released her office’s annual report for 2014-15. In the report, Tully describes a vision of a Nova Scotia government that actively discloses vital information, and that vigorously protects the privacy of its citizens.  Read more...

View the 2014-2015 Annual Report

On March 4, 2015, Catherine Tully and other independent provincial and territorial prlvacy commissioners wrote to the Select Standing Committee on Public Safety. They expressed their deep concern about the far reaching implications of Bill C-51 (the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015) for the fundamental rights of Canadians. Read the letter here.

Canada’s privacy and personal information protection guardians are urging law enforcement agencies across the country to carefully consider the significant risks to privacy before equipping officers with body-worn cameras.

The federal Privacy Commissioner and privacy and personal information protection Ombudspersons and Commissioners in all provinces and territories have today launched a guidance document to help law enforcement agencies develop policies and procedures governing the use of body-worn cameras.

The guidance calls on law enforcement agencies to evaluate whether the expected benefits outweigh the impact on privacy and personal information before introducing a body-worn camera program.

The guidance notes that a Privacy Impact Assessment, which can help identify and mitigate the potential risks to privacy and personal information, is a highly recommended best practice before launching a body-worn camera program. As well, law enforcement agencies can consult with data protection experts and undertake a pilot project before deploying the cameras broadly.

Other issues highlighted in the document include:

Public awareness: Law enforcement agencies should inform the public of any new body-worn camera program through local media and other outreach initiatives. As well, during recorded encounters, officers should be required to notify people of recording of images and sound whenever possible.

Guidance for the Use of Body-worn Cameras by Law Enforcement Authorities
Document d’orientation pour l’utilisation de caméras corporelles par les organismes chargées de voir au respect de la loi

Increasingly, citizens are concerned about what happens to their personal information held by government institutions. They worry about the use of their information in new and emerging technologies, how much they can trust government with their personal information, and the impact a privacy breach might have on them. Government institutions have legal, ethical and financial obligations to get privacy right.

Getting privacy right starts with a privacy management program. An effective privacy management program ensures that programs and services build in privacy protections from the start. This document provides an at-a-glance view to help Nova Scotia Public Bodies, Municipalities and health care custodians design and implement effective privacy management programs. Access the report here. 

FI-09-79

Report Release Date: December 11, 2014

Summary:  An applicant requested correction of three risk assessments and an investigation summary created by the Department of Community Services (the “Department”).  The Department refused to make the corrections stating that its case notes were accurate.  Instead, the Department annotated the file by placing a copy of the applicant’s request and its response on the applicant’s files and by placing a notation in its case management system.  

The Review Officer found that the Department properly refused to make the requested corrections as the requested changes are not corrections of personal information as contemplated by s. 25(1) of the Act.  The Review Officer also found that the Department’s response to the applicant was confusing as it references the accuracy of case notes and not that of the three risk assessments and investigation summary to which the applicant sought correction.

Today the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer, Dulcie McCallum released to the public Review Report FI-13-19.  This Review Report was issued to Nova Scotia Public Service Long Term Disability Trust Fund  on December 2, 2013.  Click here to view the News Release.

September 28, 2013 is International Right to Know Day.  There will be various activities in most provinces and at the national level during this week.

The Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Office is participating in this Worldwide effort to raise awareness of the right to access information and its value, with a local focus on what it means to those living and working in Nova Scotia.

Visit the Right to Know page for more details on how the Review Office is celebrating.
 

• monitor how privacy provisions are administered and conduct reviews of privacy complaints arising from the privacy provisions;
• initiate an investigation of privacy compliance if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has contravened or is about to contravene the privacy provisions and the subject matter of the review relates to the contravention;
• make recommendations on and mediate privacy complaints;
• undertake research matters concerning privacy legislation;
• inform the public about this Act;
• on the request of a public body, provide advice and comments on privacy;
• a person who believes that his or her own personal information has been collected, used or disclosed in contravention of the privacy provisions may ask the Privacy Review Officer to review the matter;
• the powers and duties of the Review Officer in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and related Regulations are referentially incorporated mutatis mutandis.

This new legislation makes the jurisdiction of the Review Officer clear with respect to privacy complaints regarding public bodies. The new Act strengthens the role with respect to privacy by enabling the Review Officer to initiate an investigation, to undertake research, to engage in public education and to provide advice to public bodies. Nova Scotia, which was the first province to introduce access to information legislation, has comprehensive privacy protections in place.

Time Extension Request Procedure, September 10, 2007