New NS freedom of information review officer

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

The provincial government says Tully has more than 10 years of senior experience with government agencies and Crown corporations dedicated to access to information and privacy law.

Tully was most recently the director of privacy and access to information at Canada Post, and prior to that she was the assistant information 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 disrespect for her office, but the government responded by saying it was grateful 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 has the power to replace the officer at the end of their term without the approval of the legislature.