The Municipality of the County of Richmond is transparent and accountable regarding access to information.
As a public body, the Municipality is subject to the Government of Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP). Additionally, the Municipal Government Act, which authorizes most municipal government activities and operations in Nova Scotia, includes provisions related to FOIPOP in Part XX. These pieces of legislation ensure that the Municipality is transparent and accountable while protecting individual privacy rights and personal information.
What Information Can Be Accessed?
Most importantly, citizens have the right of protection of the privacy of personal information in the custody or under the control of the Municipality (which includes such things as: your name, address, telephone number, etc.).
Everyone has a right of access to most recorded information held by the Municipality, but certain exemptions do apply.
Additionally, legislation prohibits the FOIPOP Administrator from disclosing:
- Information that could reasonably be expected to harm inter-municipal or intergovernmental relations or reveal information provided by other municipalities or governments in confidence, unless there is consent
- Information that could reasonably be expected to harm the financial and economic interests of the municipality or another municipality or the Province
- Information related to certain labour relations mediation or conciliation proceedings
- Information subject to solicitor-client privilege
- Others personal information
- Information that could significantly harm a third parties business interests
- Information that could harm law enforcement; and
- Information that 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 their own personal information, and the right to update or correct this personal information.
How Can I Access Information?
There is an application process to access information. When making a formal Freedom of Information request, please follow these steps:
- Make the request in writing through the Freedom of Information request form, available below.
- Specify the information requested.
- Include the $5 application fee (cheques should be made payable to the Municipality of the County of Richmond).
When making a request, please try to be as specific as possible about the information you are seeking in order to avoid delays in processing.
Download the pdf Freedom of Information Request Form. (271 KB)
Fees
The cost of a Freedom of Information request is $5.
Depending upon the nature of the request, additional charges may apply. If the request requires additional fees, an estimate will be provided to the applicant who must either pay the charges in advance or make an application for the charges to be waived.
If a fee estimate has been provided, the 30-day timeline stops until the fee structure has been agreed upon.
Fees are not charged for the applicants own information.
Responses & Decisions
A notice of receipt will be provided when the Municipality receives your request from the FOIPOP Administrator.
There are three types of responses you might receive from the Municipality once a decision has been made about your request:
- Access in full: You will receive all of the information you requested.
- Access in part: Some of the requested information will be provided.
- Withheld in full: None of the requested information will be disclosed.
A typical response timeframe is within 30 days of receipt of the request. However, an extension may apply; see Section 9 of the FOIPOP Act.
Appeal Process
If access to your request is denied or you disagree with the response provided, you have the right to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia (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.