Review Reports:
For the purpose of reference and research, below are assembled court decisions regarding freedom of information and protection of privacy. Please contact us if you are aware of any other important decisions which should be posted. Both the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society (NSBS) and the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CANLII) are good resources for searching case law.
Nova Scotia FOIPOP (and relevant) Court Cases
Nova Scotia Supreme Court (NSSC) and Nova Scotia Court of Appeal (NSCA)
(listed chronologically)
Citation |
Date |
Exemption/Issue |
| McLaughlin v. Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission, 1993, NSCA | 11/9/95 |
s. 3(1)(j) Definition of a "public body" |
| McCormack v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General), 1993, NSSC | 06/30/93 |
"mere recital of the words..." |
| For reference Re FOIPOP Act - Cape Breton Regional Hospital 1996, NSSC | 8/9/96 |
s. 20, s.21 peer reviews |
| Atlantic Highways Corp v. Nova Scotia, 1997, NSSC | 02/28/97 |
s. 21(a), (b), (c) confidential info, 3 part test |
| Dickie v. Nova Scotia (Dept of Health), 1998, NSSC 1526 | 03/03/98 |
s. 20(1) personal information |
| Western Regional Health Board, 1998, NSSC | 11/09/98 |
s. 40(1) 30 days to appeal to court |
| Jobb et al v. Nova Scotia (Dept of Justice), 1999, NSSC 2689 | 3/11/99 |
s. 16 solicitor-client privilege |
| Dickie v. Nova Scotia (Dept of Health), 1999, NSCA 7239 | 04/07/99 |
s. 20(1) personal information |
| Glasgow v. Nova Scotia (Minister of Community Services), 1999, NSSC 2328 | 6/24/99 |
invasion of privacy, Social Services blanket disclosure form |
| Gatemaster Inc. v. Nova Scotia (Dept of Housing and Municipal Affairs, 2000, NSSC 14362 | 2/22/00 |
s. 20(1), 4(2)(b), 21(2) obtaining names for mailing lists/databanks |
| Iannetti v. Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia et al, 2000, NSSC 5614 | 4/10/00 |
s. 3(1)(j) functional assessment test for what is a "public body" |
| Cyril House (Abacus Security Consultants), 2000, NSSC - Registry of Motor Vehicles | 4/20/00 |
s. 20 (1) and 20 (4)(h) personal information |
| For reference: Attorney General of Nova Scotia v. Murray Ross MacDonald (in Chambers), 2000, NSSC. | 12/8/00 |
Burden of Proof |
| MacDonald v. Nova Scotia (Human Rights Commission), 2001, NSSC | 12/09/01 |
s. 32(3) and 41(1) |
| O’Connor v. Nova Scotia (Minister of the Priorities and Planning Secretariat), 2001, NSSC 6 | 1/12/01 |
s. 13(1) Cabinet Confidences |
| Keating v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General), 2001, NSSC 85. | 6/13/01 |
|
| O’Connor v. Nova Scotia (Minister of the Priorities and Planning Secretariat), 2001, NSCA 132 | 10/2/01 |
s. 13(1) Standard of review Cabinet confidences |
| For reference: Canada Life Mortgages Services v. Leeside Estates, 2001, NSSC 30 | solicitor’s files = privileged? | |
| French v. Dalhousie University, 2002, NSSC 22 | 01/25/02 |
s. 20 Personal information |
| Chesal v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General), 2003, NSSC 10 | 01/23/03 |
|
| French v. Dalhousie University, 2003, NSCA 16 | 1/23/03 |
s. 20 Personal information |
| R. v. Fuller, 2003, NSSC 58 | 3/18/03 |
s. 13(1), s. 14(1), s. 16 |
| MacKenzie v. Kutcher, 2003, NSSC 76 | 4/3/03 |
|
| Chesal v. Attorney General of Nova Scotia, 2003, NSCA 124 | 11/20/03 |
s. 12(1)(2) |
| Shannex Health Care Management Inc. v. Attorney General of Nova Scotia, 2004, NSSC 54 | 3/23/04 |
s. 21 |
| Fuller v. R. et al v. Sobeys, 2004, NSSC 86 | 4/27/04 |
s. 21 |
| Shannex Health Care Management Inc. v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General), 2005, NSCA 52 | 3/30/05 |
|
| Griffiths v. Nova Scotia (Dept of Education), 2005, NSSC 118 | 2/22/05 |
s. 20(4)(h) |
| Gaetz v. Attorney General of Nova Scotia, 2005, NSSC 215 | 8/4/05 |
solicitor/client privilege |
| MacDonald v. Attorney General of Nova Scotia, 2005, NSSC 243 | 9/1/05 |
|
| Doctors Nova Scotia v. NS Dept of Health et al, 2005, NSSC 244 | 8/30/05 |
s. 20(4)(f) OVERTURNED |
| Reid v. Halifax Regional School Board, 2006 NSSC 56 | 2/22/06 |
s. 20 |
| Reid v. Halifax Regional School Board, 2006 NSCA 35 | 3/16/06 |
s.20 |
| Doctors Nova Scotia v. Nova Scotia (Department of Health), 2006 NSCA 59 | 05/12/06 |
s.20(4)(f) |