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Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 24-12
When the applicant was a young child, there were reports of abuse in their home. As a result, the Department of Community Services (public body) became involved in the applicant's life. More than 30 years later, the applicant asked the public body for all the records it had relating to the period the public body was involved in their life. The public body released some information in the responsive records but withheld significant portions on the basis that disclosing those portions would be an unreasonable invasion of multiple third parties' personal privacy under s. 20 (personal information) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Commissioner finds that disclosure of the withheld information would not be an unreasonable invasion of the third parties' personal privacy and so recommends the records be released in full to the applicant. Read more...
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
June 20, 2024
Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner releases 2023-2024 Annual Report
HALIFAX - Today, Tricia Ralph, Nova Scotia's Information and Privacy Commissioner, released her annual report for 2023-2024. Read more...
Nova Scotia's Commissioner talks legislative change on Saskatchewan Commissioner's podcast
Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 24-11
An applicant made a request for records from the Office of L'nu Affairs (public body) for 13 separate gaming agreements between the Nova Scotia Government and 13 First Nations. The public body applied s. 12(1)(a) (intergovernmental affairs) and s. 17(1) (financial or economic interests of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to withhold the records in full. The Commissioner finds that the public body did not meet its burden of establishing it was authorized to withhold the information and so recommends the withheld information in the responsive records be released in full to the applicant. Read more...
Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 24-10
The Alton Natural Gas Storage Facility project was the subject of public debate and numerous court proceedings. The applicant requested all documents and correspondence associated with the project from the Department of Environment and Climate Change (public body). In response, the public body informed the applicant that they would need to pay fees for the responsive records pursuant to s. 11 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP) and requested a deposit to proceed with processing the request. The applicant asked the public body to waive the fees. The public body responded with a revised fee estimate and an updated deposit amount. The applicant remained unsatisfied with the public body's fee estimate and asked the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the public body's decision. The Commissioner finds that although the matter is in the public interest, the public body properly exercised its discretion in its decision to not waive fees. As such, the Commissioner recommends that the public body reconfirm the fee estimate it issued to the applicant. Read more...
Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 24-09
An applicant asked Halifax Regional Police (HRP) for records related to a 1996 incident where dozens of crew members on the set of the movie Titanic ate food that was allegedly laced with a drug called phencyclidine or "angel dust". HRP withheld portions of the requested information under s. 472(1)(b) (intergovernmental affairs), ss. 475(1)(c) and (d) (law enforcement), and s. 480 (personal information) of Part XX of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The Commissioner finds that HRP was not authorized to withhold information under s. 472(1)(b) or ss. 475(1)(c) and (d) of the MGA. She finds that with personal identifers withheld, factual observations of third parties do not constitute their personal information and so cannot be withheld under s. 480. She also recommends that HRP continue to withhold the personal information of third parties. Read more...
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
February 1, 2024
Information and Privacy Commissioner publishes submission for the legislative review of Nova Scotia's access and privacy laws
HALIFAX - Information and Privacy Commissioner Tricia Ralph has provided her submission to the internal working group reviewing Nova Scotia's access and privacy laws. Read more...
Legislative Review Submission
Companion Reports:
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
Protecting Patient Information in Practice and Beyond
Need-to-Know Instead of Circle of Care
Know Your Rights: Missing Records?
Tips for Addressing Employee Snooping
Privacy at Work
Privacy at Home
Graphic Novel - Social Smarts: Nothing Personal!
