NDP Response to RTKNS FOI Letter

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Official Party reposonse to the RTKNS letter:

Darce Fardy

President

Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia

June 6, 2009

Via email: darce@eastlink.ca

Dear Darce:

On behalf of Darrell Dexter, Leader of the New Democratic Party, I write to enclose the response of the NDP to the Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia.

I trust that your members will have the opportunity to review these answers in informing their voting intentions in this election. More details on our platform, Better Deal 2009, are available on our website at http://www.ns.ndp.ca/.

The NDP believes that the Freedom of Information Act requires regular review to ensure that it is meeting the changing and dynamic information needs of Nova Scotians. In the short-term, changes to reduce the cost for FOI applications from $25 to $5 need to be made. Overall, the processing times for requests have increased to the point where

timely access-to-information is being hampered, or in some cases denied.

The NDP will work with the FOI staff to determine the most efficient methods for speeding-up the processing times and providing more timely access to information.

We thank you for the opportunity to outline our positions on these important issues. The NDP recognizes your years of service to the province, and commitment to greater transparency, and freedom of information.

Best regards,

Dan O’Connor

Chief of Staff to Darrell Dexter

Leader of the NDP

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Candidate Responses:

From: Jim

To: Darce Fardy

Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 10:08 AM

Subject: Re: Freedom of Information

You are absolutely correct. This process undermines democracy and the accountability of government to the people. Full, open and transparent accountability is what should be the benchmark.

Jim Boudreau - NDP Candidate for Guysborough-Sheet Harbour