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Government Continuing to Stonewall on Loan Freedom of Information Requests |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Monday, 10 April 2006 |
The government is continuing to stonewall access to information regarding two controversial loans approved by the Conservative cabinet, says Liberal Economic Development Critic Manning MacDonald.
The Liberal caucus received a second delay letter from the Freedom of Information and Protection of Property Administrator at the Office of Economic Development on April 6, stating more time was needed to consult with third parties.
"This second delay is pure politics," says MacDonald. "The excuse for the first delay is the same as the second delay. This is nothing but Conservative stonewalling to protect information this government doesn't want Nova Scotians to know."
The Liberal Caucus Office first requested a copy of the Report and Recommendation on S&J Potato Farms and Magic Valley on February 20, 2006. On March 21, one day before the response deadline, the caucus office was notified the information would not be made available until April 5, citing more time was needed to "complete the required consultation with affected third parties."
The second letter states: "As the decision to grant partial access, the FOIPOP Act requires affected third parties be given 20 days to ask the Review Officer to review this decision."
MacDonald says the continued stalls are cause for concern.
"It is becoming increasingly obvious that this government has something to hide," says MacDonald. "The information in these files should have been released by now. All we are looking for is the report
and recommendation that cabinet received on these two loans. If cabinet was acting in the best interests of Nova Scotians, then why won't the government release the information?" |
