Mother May I?

Nova Scotia lead the way 30 years ago when it became the first province in Canada to enact Freedom of Information legislation. Since 1977, all other provinces have enacted their own version.

Nova Scotia’s original Act was replaced in 1993 by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act commonly known today in the province as FOI/POP. Within some government departments the acronym has actually become a noun, a verb and an adjective, but one thing it has not become is easy.

This Commentary, Mother May I, is based on comments by AIMS acting president Charles Cirtwill to the Right to Know Forum held in Halifax at the University of King’s College. In it he explains AIMS experience with the legislation and the common misuses of Nova Scotia’s Freedom Of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

To read the complete Commentary, click here.