Resources for the Public

Rights under FOIPOP

You have two major rights under the Act:

  • The right of access to records in the custody or under the control of a public body, including your own information
  • The right of protection of the privacy of your personal information in the custody or under the control of a public body

When do privacy and access rules apply?

  • Privacy
    • Privacy rules apply to all instances of the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
    • Basic rule of privacy: no collection, use, or disclosure unless authorized.
  • Access
    • The public can request access to any record in the custody or control of any public body in Nova Scotia
    • Public bodies have a ‘duty to assist’ applicants by making every reasonable effort to not only identify and seek out records, but to explain the steps in the process

 

How to Request Information

There are three basic steps to making an access to information request:

  1. Identify the records you are looking for.
  2. Make your request in writing.
    • Under FOIPOP, applicants can request access to any record in the custody or control of CBU.
    • Fill out the following form: Access to Information Form 
    • When requesting a record, describe the records as best as you can including the topic or focus of the records, dates, record types, and/or name of individuals involved. You can do some research online to see if there is information that can help you better define your access request.
    • The more specific you are about the records you seek, the more likely the public body or municipality will be able to find the records.
    • When you make your access to information request, you must pay a $5 application fee unless you are requesting your own personal information or you request to waive the fee.
    • Forward your request to CBU’s Privacy Officer.

By mail: Deanna Petrie

Cape Breton University

1250 Grand Lake Rd.

Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

B1M 1A2

  1. Review the response.
    • CBU must respond in writing within 30 days. Responses could include:
      • a time extension decision;
      • a fee estimate;
      • a copy of the records requested in whole or with some information withheld;
      • a decision denying access to all requested information; or
      • a decision stating that no records exist.
    • Carefully review the response you receive and contact Deanna Petrie, at deanna_petrie@cbu.ca if you have any questions or concerns.
    • If you disagree with the decision, you can file an appeal with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. You must do so within 60 days of being notified of the decision.

FAQ

For more information about your rights under FOIPOP, please refer to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s website https://oipc.novascotia.ca/publictools