Notice of Appeal filed

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner today filed a Notice of Appeal in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Trial Division, appealing the decision of Executive Council not to follow the recommendations of the commissioner.

In his Report 2005-004, the commissioner recommended that the majority of a series of public opinion polls be released in accordance with an access to information request filed with Executive Council on January 25, 2005. On July 12, 2005 Executive Council notified the Commissioner�s Office that it did not agree with those recommendations, resulting in the decision not to release the information. The Commissioner�s Office will appeal this decision under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has engaged the services of Ms. Anna Cook of the law firm Patterson Palmer to act on its behalf in this matter.

Report 2005-004 was released on June 27, 2005 and can be viewed at www.gov.nl.ca/oipc

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

2005 07 28                          2:45 p.m.