Source: https://oipc.novascotia.ca/court-decisions
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 18:26:34+00:00

Document:
Under Nova Scotia's access to information laws (FOIPOP and MGA) there are two ways to challenge a decision of a public body or municipality. Individuals can request a review by the OIPC or they can appeal directly to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Individuals can also appeal to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court following an OIPC review if a public body or municipality refuses to accept all of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's recommendations.
In both cases, the law states that the Commissioner is not a party to the appeal. Further, both types of hearing are "de novo" meaning that the parties can produce new evidence not provided to the OIPC during the review process.
For the purpose of reference and research, below are assembled court decisions regarding freedom of information and protection of privacy. Please contact us if you are aware of any other important decisions which should be posted. Both the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society (NSBS) and the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CANLII) are good resources for searching case law.
The table below refers to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court (NSSC) and Nova Scotia Court of Appeal (NSCA).
McLaughlin v. Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission, 1993, NSCA 11/9/95 s. 3(1)(j) Definition of a "public body"
McCormack v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General), 1993, NSSC 06/30/93 "mere recital of the words..."
Iannetti v. Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia et al, 2000, NSSC 5614 4/10/00 s. 3(1)(j) functional assessment test for what is a "public body"
O’Connor v. Nova Scotia (Minister of the Priorities and Planning Secretariat), 2001, NSCA 132 10/2/01 solicitor's files = privileged?
For reference: Canada Life Mortgages Services v. Leeside Estates, 2001, NSSC 30 solicitor’s files = privileged?
Raymond v. Nova Scotia (Freedom of Information and Privacy Commissioner), 2017 NSSC 322 - This decision was appealed - see Raymond v. Nova Scotia (Information and Privacy Commissioner), 2019 NSCA 1 below.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia is also known as the Review Officer and is appointed as the independent oversight authority under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Municipal Government Act, the Personal Health Information Act and the Privacy Review Officer Act.
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