RTKNS Disclosure Note: Neal Livingston is a Board member in the Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia

FOI cost shocks Cape Breton man

By CHRIS LAMBIE Staff Reporter

Tue. Sep 30 - 5:41 AM

A Mabou man who produces hydro power was shocked when he saw the $780 bill the province wants to charge him to see the Energy Department's files on himself and his companies.

Neal Livingston recently made a freedom of information request asking the department for information from the past decade on himself, his companies Black River Hydro Ltd. and Black River Wind Ltd., and the latter's vice-president, Peggy Cameron, who is his common-law partner.

While they paid the initial $25 fee, the couple asked the province to waive any additional fees because their request was to examine personal information and may also be useful to the public.

"I thought it was outrageous," Mr. Livingston said of the proposed fee. "Why should this department be making it as difficult as possible for us to get access to our files?"

Full Article: http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1082018.html>