NLIS 1
April 14, 2005
(Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner)
 

Office open to the public

Phil Wall, Information and Privacy Commissioner for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today that his office is now fully operational and open to the public. The office is located on the 5th Floor, East Block, Confederation Building, St. John�s.

"I am very pleased to announce that this office is now available to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Wall. "This office is a cornerstone of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA) and will work to ensure that all public organizations in this province protect the public�s right to access to information and their right to privacy to the greatest extent possible."

The access provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act were proclaimed into force on January 17, 2005. The privacy provisions will be proclaimed at a later date. The Information and Privacy Commissioner is appointed as an independent officer of the House of Assembly and will act as the oversight mechanism for this legislation. The commissioner has a broad range of responsibilities and powers and may make recommendations to ensure compliance with the access and privacy provisions of the ATIPPA and the Regulations. The commissioner may also investigate complaints on the operation and administration of the legislation.

Mr. Wall also announced that Sandy Hounsell has been appointed as the executive director of the office. While the commissioner�s position is part-time, Mr. Hounsell is a full-time employee and will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the office. Mr. Hounsell has extensive experience and knowledge in the area of access and privacy in general and in this legislation in particular. Completing the team is a full-time investigator and a full-time office administrator.

The office may be contacted by calling (709) 729-6309 or toll-free at 1-877-729-6309, by faxing (709) 729-6500, or by e-mailing oipc@gov.nl.ca. The mailing address is as follows:

5th Floor, East Block
Confederation Building
P. O. Box 8700
St. John�s, NL A1B 4J6

You may also visit our Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/oipc

Media contact: Sandy Hounsell, Executive Director, (709) 729-6309

2005 04 13                    9:30 a.m.


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