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N.S. premier using false information as reason against updating privacy legislation

On Dec. 23, 2025, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston used a mischaracterized FOI anecdote to oppose granting a provincial information watchdog order-making powers, saying he saw no public good in the requested material.
After a 2016 riot at the Waterville youth detention centre, FOI requests and legal appeals followed, and the office of the privacy commissioner recommended releasing the material in 2022.
The Canadian Press requester sought photos and videos related to the 2016 riot, and journalists from multiple outlets said the wording did not reference schematics while Houston's office argued these could be `security schematics`.
Under current law the commissioner can only recommend releases, so applicants must sue for access if recommendations are refused, Ken Rubin says; Houston reversed his 2021 pledge to grant order-making powers.
Information and Privacy Commissioner David Nurse praised some changes, congratulating the province for expanding municipal oversight and urging procedural control and a 90-day review deadline despite Nova Scotia's shaky transparency record.

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