What is Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP)?

As a public body, the Town of Westville is subject to the Government of Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Municipal Government Act – which provides authority for most of the activities and operations of municipal government in Nova Scotia – also contains provisions relating to FOIPOP in Part XX.

These pieces of legislation ensure that the Town is transparent and accountable to its citizens, while protecting individual privacy rights and personal information.

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What information can be accessed, and what are my rights?

Everyone has a right of access to most recorded information held by the Town, but certain exemptions do apply. Foremost, citizens have the right of protection of the privacy of personal information in the custody or under the control of the Town (which includes such things as: your name, address, telephone number, etc.). Additionally, legislation prohibits the FOIPOP Administrator from disclosing:

information that could reasonably be expected to harm inter-municipal or intergovernmental relations or reveal information provided by other municipalities or governments in confidence, unless there is consent
information that could reasonably be expected to harm the financial and economic interests of the municipality or another municipality or the Province
information related to certain labour relations mediation or conciliation proceedings
information subject to solicitor-client privilege

someone else’s personal information
information that could significantly harm a third parties business interests
information that could harm law enforcement; and
information that could harm the economic or financial interests of a public body, other individuals, or the public

How can I access information?

Citizens have a right of access to their own personal records under the control of the Municipality, including their own personal information and the right to update or correct this personal information.

Please contact the Chief Administrative Office for more information on how to access information at scot.weeres@westville.ca

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What is the process and how much will it cost?

If you would like to access information, all requests must:

Be made in writing
Specify the information requested
Be accompanied by a $5.00 application fee.

When making a request, please try to be as specific as possible about the information you are seeking in order to avoid delays in processing.

Depending upon the nature of the request, additional charges may apply. An estimate will be provided to the applicant who must either pay the charges in advance or make an application for the charges to be waived.

NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE APPLICANT’S OWN PERSONAL INFORMATION.

What kind of response can I expect to receive?

There are three types of responses you might get from the Town once a decision has been made about giving you the records:

Access in full: you are getting everything that you have requested;
Access in part: some of the information requested will be provided, with an explanation of why; or
Withheld in full: none of the information requested will be disclosed, with an explanation of why.

Responses are normally provided within 30 days of receipt of the request.

Making a Request

To make a request, please fill out and sign the Town’s FOIPOP application form. Requests may be submitted by mail or email but must include the $5.00 fee to initiate the process (unless it has been waived).

If access is denied or you disagree with the response provided, you have the right to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia (1-888-243-1564) to request a review of the Town’s decision. You must request this review within 60 days of the Town’s decisions. There is no charge for the review.

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LINKS

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act -Download Here

Municipal Government Act- Download Here

Town FOIPOP Application Form - Download Here

Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Nova Scotia- FOIPOP: The Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Office

Freedom of Information