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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.

Fee Structure

Additional Processing Fees For:	$30/hr
(a) locating, retrieving and producing the record;
(b) preparing the record for disclosure;
(c) shipping and handling the record;
(d) providing a copy of the records.
Shipping - standard post office shipping rates - courier fees if specifically requested by the applicant	At Cost
Shipping fees are limited to the actual cost of the method chosen by the applicant
Photocopy - $0.20 or actual cost - whichever is less	$0.10
* Note the first two hours of search time is free

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 (1-866-243-1564) to request a review of the Municipality’s decision. You must request this review within 60 days of the Municipality’s decisions.

Every spring, compost is made available for purchase at the Richmond Solid Waste Management Facility. (CALL 902 226-2396 to ensure availability) Availability is limited to residents of Richmond County (identification with address may be requested). Availability will be limited to a maximum of 2 cubic yards per customer until June 5, after which compost will be available in greater quantities (provided sufficient quantities are on-hand).

The compost has been tested to CCME guidelines and is considered Category A, unrestricted use, and can be used in any application. Lab results are available upon request.

Fees (Effective June 2, 2021)

Residential / Commercial Customers $40/Tonne (Minimum $5 charge)
Loading Fee $10 Flat Fee (check with the site in advance, loading may not always be available depending on operations)
Tandem Truck Load (screened) $275 inc. loading fee (approximately 8 tonnes)

Customers must remit payment at the Richmond Solid Waste Management Facility at the time of pick-up (debit and cheque accepted). Please note that shovels and containers are not available at the Waste Management Facility. Masks must be worn on-site when inside buildings or where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Quantities may be limited. Please verify availability with the Richmond Solid Waste Management Facility at 902-226-2396 prior to arrival onsite. Those wishing to be loaded should check with the site in advance to ensure that personnel and equipment will be available.

2026 Heavy Garbage Collection

The Municipality of the County of Richmond has a Dangerous and Unsightly Premises policy. It is the desire of Council that every property in the Municipality of the County of Richmond be maintained to prevent any danger or unsightliness. Council has appointed the Eastern District Planning Commission as the administrator for dangerous and unsightly premises. This is a complaint-driven process that starts by directly contacting the Eastern District Planning Commission. The definition of danagerous and unslighlty premises is defined by the Municipal Government Act. [ Section 3(r) and derelict vehicle is defined in Section 3(v)]