Nova Scotia Privacy Commissioner Criticizes New Rules Shielding Cabinet Records
Nova Scotia’s information and privacy commissioner, David Nurse, says new rules taking effect in April will completely shield provincial cabinet records from freedom of information requests, reducing transparency without a valid reason.
Nova Scotia’s information and privacy commissioner is raising concerns about upcoming changes to the province's freedom of information laws that he says will result in less transparency. 
In his annual report, David Nurse stated that new rules going into effect in April will completely shield all provincial cabinet records from freedom of information requests.
Under current rules, the government is permitted to withhold information that reveals the substance of cabinet discussions, with only background information routinely released. Nurse asserts that Nova Scotians are not receiving unreasonable access to records under the existing law.
The commissioner stated there was no valid reason for such dramatic changes to the law. He noted that the complete shielding of cabinet records represents a break from the practice in other provinces, including British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador.