Province appoints new freedom of information review officer

A new freedom of information and protection of privacyreview officer has been appointed in Nova Scotia.

Catherine Tully of Ottawa will take over the position beginning September 8.

The provincial government saidTully has more than 10 years of senior experience with government agencies and Crown corporationsdedicated to access to information and privacy law.

Tully was most recently the director of privacy and access toinformation at Canada Post, and prior to that she was the assistantinformation and privacy commissioner for British Columbia.

She takes over for Dulcie McCallum, who was terminated from the job in February after serving a seven-year term.

At the time, McCallum said her dismissal was a sign of disrespectfor her office, but the government responded by saying it wasgrateful for her service.

Tully's term is for five to seven years.

Unlike most other freedom of information commissioners in Canada,the position in Nova Scotia is not an officer of the legislature.

That means the cabinet alone decides on the appointment and hasthe power to replace the officer at the end of their term withoutthe approval of the legislature.