The Nova Scotia Auditor General has agreed to help the province ensure that Nova Scotians personal information is protected. On April 20, the province requested audit assistance from Auditor General Michael Pickup.

The province also contacted the Nova Scotia Information and Privacy Commissioner Catherine Tully, regarding the recent privacy breach of Nova Scotia’s personal information via the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy portal. She has announced she will be conducting a privacy investigation.

“Focused efforts by the province, the Nova Scotia Auditor General and the Nova Scotia Information and Privacy Commissioner are a vital step to safeguard the privacy of Nova Scotians,” said Minister of Internal Services Patricia Arab. “Their findings will ensure that we have the right processes and measures in place to reduce the risk of a privacy breach happening again.”

The province continues to work with appropriate partners to ensure breach containment and has taken steps to notify affected applicants of the breach.

A copy of the letter to Mr. Pickup is available upon request.