FOI

FOI


N.S. information commissioner says government bill threatens right to access records

Nova Scotia’s freedom of information commissioner is calling on the governing party to withdraw legislation that she says weakens the public’s right to access government records and documents. Tricia Ralph, who ends her term of office this week, says measures in an omnibus bill tabled by the Progressive Conservatives threaten the rights of citizens to […]

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‘Control-mania’: Nova Scotia premier accused of executive overreach with new bill

The Nova Scotia government has taken a giant step backward in accountability and transparency with the introduction this week of a contentious omnibus bill, political observers and access to information experts say. Among other things, the bill will make it possible for Premier Tim Houston’s Progressive Conservatives to fire the province’s auditor general without cause, […]

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Senators ask Trump’s Labor Department nominee where her allegiance would lie

NEW YORK (AP) — Members of a Senate committee grilled Labor Secretary-designate Lori Chavez-DeRemer on Wednesday about her past support of pro-union legislation, her position on raising the federal minimum wage and her willingness to disagree with President Donald Trump. Democrats sought assurances during the nominee’s confirmation hearing that Chavez-DeRemer would protect private data held […]

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Internal report urged Canada to counter rhetoric about a ‘crisis’ at border

An internal government report warned a year ago that allowing “the trend of negative rhetoric” about the security of the Canada-U.S. border could lead to a thickening of the 49th parallel, adversely affecting trade and travel. The report, written by a diplomat at Canada’s embassy in Washington, said that failing to refute U.S. claims about […]

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Mississauga town hall hears concerns over missing Black boys in the GTA

On a frigid Saturday afternoon at the beginning of February, community members gathered at Malton Youth Hub to voice concerns about the number of missing Black boys in the Greater Toronto Area. The town hall aimed to raise awareness and provide resources for those seeking to support affected families. It was part of a series […]

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Details of Danielle Smith’s spending cut committee revealed

With volatile oil prices, the looming threat of tariffs, and Alberta facing “headwinds from every direction,” as Finance Minister Nate Horner described the current economic forecast, it appears unlikely the promised personal income tax cut will be a part of budget announcements later this month. But the Productivity Review Cabinet Committee (PRCC) tasked with “finding […]

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Justice Dept. official accuses FBI chief of ‘insubordination,’ tamps down talk of revenge on agents

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Justice Department official accused the FBI’s acting leaders of “insubordination” in a Wednesday memo in which he sought to soothe anxiety inside the bureau over the potential for a broad purge of agents involved in investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. The memo from acting Deputy Attorney […]

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ACLU files lawsuit on behalf of Arkansas librarian fired after opposing book censorship effort

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of an Arkansas librarian who was fired after she spoke out against efforts to restrict the public’s access to certain books. The ACLU of Arkansas filed the lawsuit on behalf of former Saline County Library Director Patty Hector, who […]

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Tour guide at former Colorado gold mine fell out of elevator after apparently not latching door

DENVER (AP) — A tour guide killed at a former Colorado gold mine last year fell out of a crowded elevator taking tourists below ground after apparently not latching its door closed, documents obtained by The Associated Press show. As the elevator descended, the door swung out and caught the side of the mine shaft, […]

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Town discusses launch of new local GIS app

A presentation given before Town of Strathmore council during the Jan. 22 regular meeting detailed the launch of local Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Economic Development Dashboards. The development of the Public Web Map and Economic Development dashboards aims to provide residents and businesses with easier access to information, while supporting the town’s economic development […]

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St. Catharines officials mislead public after protecting GM’s reputation—concealed documents that show alarming levels of toxic chemicals

Twenty-two days after being compelled by Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner to release environmental reports related to the former General Motors site in the core of the city, St. Catharines officials addressed the matter publicly, admitting they have had the disturbing reports that show dangerous contaminants at levels thousands of times above set limits, since […]

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Town keeping up on municipal law emerging trends

The mayor, one councillor and the town chief administrative officer will be attending an annual emerging trends in municipal law seminar. Mayor Brad Schlossberger, Coun. Kandice Meister, Abe Tinney, the town’s chief administrative officer, will attend the one-day seminar presented by Brownlee LLP Barristers and Solicitors, on Feb. 6 in Calgary. The law firm describes […]

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