The high fee was a barrier for many people needing to access their own records, or to request information needed to be an engaged citizen. Even at the high level, 950 applications were filed last year; that number is sure to surge with the lower accessible fee.
This is a huge victory for the Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia, which has been working tirelessly to improve implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
For more information on the importance of a working access to information law, see my article, "Public secrets."