FOIPOP Regulations Amended to Clarify Definitions

Regulations under the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act have been amended to provide greater clarity on what qualifies as background information in provincial cabinet documents.

"Our goal is to make the regulations as specific as possible so that people who use the act have a clear understanding of which cabinet documents are subject to disclosure and which ones are not," said Justice Minister Michael Baker. "The amendment removes any ambiguity with respect to what constitutes background information."

Terms within the definition of background information are now more fully and specifically defined.

"With this improvement, administrators of the act and people who apply for information will have a better understanding of what qualifies as background information," said Mr. Baker.

Only Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Alberta have specific requirements to disclose background information contained in cabinet files. And now, Nova Scotia is the only province that actually defines background information with a list of terms.