A community newspaper reporter will be part of a committee to review the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP).
Keith Corcoran, reporter for the Bridgewater (NS) Bulletin, will take part in the committee, along with Peter O’Brien, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Jim Meek, public affairs consultant and former journalist; Susan Potts, FOIPOP administrator with the Office of Economic Development and the Public Prosecution Service; and Bill Wilson, executive director, Legal Services, with the Department of Justice.
Under Section 50 of the Act, the committee is mandated by law to review the Act. It can recommend changes or improvements relating to the Act and its scope.
The committee is also being asked to specifically review the adequacy of the privacy protection provisions of the legislation.
Corcoran, who by his own account has filed more than 80 FOI requests, said he is looking to increase access to information. “I’m hoping I can make an influence on this committee and ensure there is greater access to information,ÔÇØ he said. ÔÇ£The fee issue is one I’m looking forward to tackling. There are holes in the Act and they need to be fixed.”