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Freedom of information and protection of privacy (FOIPOP)
As a public body, the Municipality of Inverness County is subject to the Government of Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) 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 freedom of information and protection of privacy in Part XX.
These pieces of legislation ensure that the municipality is transparent and accountable to its citizens, while protecting individual privacy rights and personal information.
Right to access information
Everyone has a right of access to most recorded information held by the municipality, but there are certain exemptions.
Citizens have the right of protection of the privacy of personal information in the custody or under the control of the municipality. This includes things like your name, address, telephone number, age, sex, education, marital status, healthcare history, and financial history.
Legislation also prohibits the FOIPOP administrator from disclosing information that:
- could reasonably be expected to harm intermunicipal or intergovernmental relations or reveal information provided by other municipalities or governments in confidence, unless there is consent
- could reasonably be expected to harm the financial and economic interests of the municipality or another municipality or the province
- is related to certain labour relations mediation or conciliation proceedings
- is subject to solicitor-client privilege
- could significantly harm a third party’s business interests
- could harm law enforcement
- could harm the economic or financial interests of a public body, other individuals, or the public
Citizens have a right of access to their own personal records under the control of the municipality, including your own personal information and the right to update or correct this personal information.
How to access information
Use the form at the bottom of this page to submit your request to access a record.
If you are requesting access to any information other than your own personal information, a $5.00 application fee is payable to the municipality before the request can be processed. Please note that additional fees may need to be charged depending on the complexity of the request, and the preferred method for delivery of records.
Payment can be made
- in person, or by mailing a cheque to the following address: Municipality of Inverness County, Finance Office, 375 Main St, Port Hood, Nova Scotia, Canada B0E 2W0
- via e-transfer to taxes@invernesscounty.ca
When making your payment, indicate ‘FOIPOP request’ along with the name you gave in the contact information on the request form.
What kind of response to expect ?
There are 3 types of responses you might get from the municipality once a decision has been made about giving you the records.
- Access in full: you are getting everything that you have asked for.
- Access in part: the municipality will let you know that some of the information requested is being provided, and will explain the reasons why.
- Withheld in full: the municipality will let you know that none of the requested information is being provided, and will explain the reasons why.
Responses are normally provided within 30 days of receipt of the request.
If access is denied or you disagree with the response provided, you have the right to contact the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Office (1-888-243-1564) to request a review of the Municipality’s decision. You must request this review within 60 days of the municipality’s decisions. There is no charge for the review.