NOVA SCOTIA — Information and Privacy Commissioner David Nurse is urging the province to reconsider restrictions on access to cabinet records before its new freedom-of-information law takes effect April 1, 2027.

In an August 26 letter to the justice and Service Nova Scotia ministers, Nurse argues that the new law will reduce transparency. His office published the letter September 1; the concerns received renewed coverage October 2.

What the commissioner objects to

Nurse says the new exemption is mandatory, covers a broad definition of Executive Council records and prevents access, including to background material, until records are 15 years old.

His letter contrasts this with the current system: some background information can be disclosed after a decision is public or implemented, or after five years. Other cabinet records become available after 10 years.

Those criticisms are the commissioner’s assessment. He recommends returning to the current wording, which protects material revealing cabinet deliberations.

The law is not yet in force. The office separately says its 2025–26 annual report was released October 1, covering the year ending March 31. Readers should distinguish the report’s release from the earlier letter and the future implementation date.

Sources: Commissioner’s August 26 letter; OIPC release notices; October 2 Canadian Press coverage.

Lead image: TNC archive AI-generated Canadian policy illustration; not a photograph of Nova Scotia’s legislature or the commissioner.