2024 Election Questionnaire NS

Question 1 – Potential of law reform 

If elected to form government, will you reform laws and improve:  

• records management in public bodies?
• access to information from public bodies?  
• the ability for people to control and protect their personal information collected used and retained by public bodies and private organizations?  

Question 2 – Law reform in action 

How will you act on reforms in these areas?  

Question 3 – Recordkeeping of information assets 

Records need to be both created and managed effectively. Recordkeeping promotes effective public governance and establishes a common source of reference for public employees, it is a prerequisite to both evidence-based and data-driven decision-making.  

If elected to form Government, what steps will you take to:   

• Identify government’s needs related to recordkeeping and areas for potential improvement?  
• Improve the requirement for public bodies to create and act on records?  
• Increase proactive release of information under the control of public bodies?  
• Improve responses to requests for information under the control of public bodies? 

Question 4 – Response to potential concerns

The Nova Scotian Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and related legislation has come under fire from the appointed independent commissioner and the public. It is also going through a legislative review process.  FIPAs analysis of legislation across Canada indicates that there is only one area that Nova Scotia is leading in (Degree of Practicality). 

• If elected, what will your government do to ensure better access to the information under the control of public bodies on request or proactively? 

• If elected, what steps will you take to ensure Government and Ministers act on the recommendations of duly appointed independent offices of the legislative assembly and review processes?