82% Gives Students at Duncan MacMillan High School the Straight Deal on Gambling
Learn More...

YourBestBet.ca

Know what it means to...

gamble responsibly...

Learn More...

FOI Policy

Policy Statement

This "Routine Access" policy for the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation is designed to provide persons with an opportunity to obtain certain categories of records without having to submit a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FOIPOP Act") Application. It is administered in accordance with the following principles:

a) Personal Privacy
The policy shall be applied in a manner which will be considerate and protective of the personal privacy of individuals and records subject to this policy shall be considered for release and severing in a manner consistent with the provisions of the FOIPOP Act.

b) Timeliness
NSGC will respond to requests made under the Routine Access Policy in a reasonable and timely fashion.

c) Cost Recovery
Fees for the reproduction and provision of records may be charged where authorized by policies, regulations, or statutes.

d) Transparency
This policy shall be made available to the public.

e) Reasonableness
This policy shall apply to requests for reasonable quantities of records.

2. DEFINITIONS


  • Active Dissemination is the periodic and proactive release of information or records in the absence of a request using mechanisms such as the Internet, libraries, etc. Information available on NSGC Website is referenced in Appendix "A".
  • FOIPOP Access is the release of a record in response to a formal FOIPOP application made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
  • A Record "includes books, documents, maps, drawings, photographs, letters, vouchers, papers and any other thing on which information is recorded or stored by graphic, electronic, mechanical or other means, but does not include a computer program or any other mechanism that produces records" in accordance with s. 3(1) (k) of the FOIPOP Act.

3. POLICY OBJECTIVES


  • The objective of the implementation of this policy is the accessibility of certain records routinely without additional administrative time being required of staff to fulfill "Routine Access" requests. It is also to provide a greater certainty of access for those requesting information, and reflect the spirit of openness and accountability of the FOIPOP Act.

4. APPLICATION


  • This policy shall apply only to requests for reasonable quantities of records and shall not apply to requests for more than 50 pages of records in a particular category and/or time period. Repetitive requests by an individual for significant volumes of records or the separation of a request into several small requests totalling a large volume, shall not be subject to the policy. It is important to ensure that the application of the Routine Access Policy of the public body not unduly interfere with the day-to-day operations of the public body.
  • Requests made under Routine Access do not apply to information subject to exemptions under the FOIPOP Act.
  • Routine Access requests only apply to information created after October 23, 2003.
  • Personal information will be severed with the same criteria and in the same manner as requests made under the FOIPOP Act.

5. POLICY DIRECTIVES


  • This policy will be communicated to all NSGC staff and a copy provided to both the FOIPOP Administrator and Communications Manager.
  • The policy will be posted on NSGC Website.
  • Requests under this policy will be forwarded to and processed by the FOIPOP Administrator.
  • A tracking system will be kept for compliance and auditing purposes to track the requests made and records provided under this policy.

6. POLICY GUIDELINES


  • Once a request for "Routine Access" to a particular record, or set of records, has been received, it shall be forwarded to the FOIPOP Administrator, who shall review the request and determine if the record(s) are listed in Appendix "B".
  • If the policy does not apply to the request, a response to the applicant shall be provided promptly and shall indicate what other avenues may be available to obtain the information (e.g. FOIPOP Application).
  • If the policy applies to the request, the records shall be provided to the applicant within a reasonable period of time, but no later than 30 days from receipt of the request.

7. ACCOUNTABILITY

The President & CEO is responsible for:


  • a. approval of this policy;
  • b. implementation of this policy;
  • c. annual review and approval of revisions to the policy; and,
  • d. ensuring that employees follow the policy, including directives, guidelines and procedures.

The FOIPOP Administrator is responsible for:


  • a. processing requests for information under this policy;
  • b. reviewing the policy annually and recommending and necessary revisions to the President & CEO; and,
  • c. tracking the requests made and records provided under this policy.

Employees are responsible for following the policy, including directives, guidelines and procedures.

8. COMPLIANCE


  • The FOIPOP Administrator shall be responsible for ensuring the compliance with this policy

9. EVALUATION


  • The "Routine Access" Program established under this policy shall be evaluated on an annual basis by the FOIPOP Administrator.

10. REFERENCES

Requests made under this Policy will be subject to the following:


  • a. Section 27 of the FOIPOP Act which sets the parameters for dealing with personnel information; and,
  • b. Section 22 of the Gaming Control Act which requires NSGC to swear an Oath of Office as prescribed in s. 25 of the Casino Regulations.

11. INQUIRIES

FOIPOP Administrator, The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, 902-424-2203

12. APPENDICES


  • Appendix A: Schedule of Information provided through Active Dissemination
  • Appendix B: Schedule of Records Available through Routine Access

Approved October 22, 2003