New appointment announced

Nova Scotia has appointed a new Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) review officer.

Tricia Ralph’s appointment takes effect on March 1.

Ralph is currently legal counsel for the information and privacy commissioner of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. The review officer has an independent oversight role and is appointed by the governor in council for a term of five to seven years.

“I’m pleased to welcome

Ms. Ralph to this important oversight position,” said Mark

Furey, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “This role is instrumental to ensuring a balance is maintained between the protection of information and right to access. Ms. Ralph’s credentials and experience highly qualify her to take on this vital role. I would like to thank Carmen Stuart for her service over the past several months as acting review officer.”

In addition, government is creating a new leadership role to oversee privacy. This executive director position will be an added resource which will help to improve overall efficiency of the office.

Ralph’s other positions have included legal counsel for the Northwest Territories Department of Justice, lawyer for Northwest Territories Legal Aid, Legislative and Legal Advisor for the Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

She has a masters of health administration and bachelor of laws degree from Dalhousie University, and a bachelor of science degree from Trent University in Peterborough, Ont.