6 Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner. Best Practices for Administrative Tribunals When Publishing Decisions. Updated February 2025. in the privacy laws of other jurisdictions. For example, • In HIPA, a public interest override is found in a limited way connected to the disclosure of personal health information for research purpose if the research project is not contrary to the public interest. • In FOIP and LA FOIP, public interest overrides are found in relation to the disclosure of third party business information, and to the disclosure of personal information. This section focuses on public interest overrides found in FOIP and LA FOIP in relation to the disclosure of personal information. In FOIP and LA FOIP, a public interest override applies to the disclosure of personal information: • For research or statistical purposes if the head is satisfied the purpose for disclosing supports the public interest and there is no other way to provide it except in an identifying way and if the person receiving it agrees not to subsequently disclose it. • For any purpose if the head determines the public interest in disclosure clearly outweighs any resulting invasion of privacy, or if the head determines that disclosure would benefit the individual. When considering if personal information should be disclosed in the public interest, an administrative tribunal should determine: • The types of personal information involved (as defined by FOIP or LA FOIP). • If there is an actual public interest. • If disclosure would clearly outweigh any invasion of privacy. Note that a public interest does not automatically exist when the media is involved. Once identifying the types of personal information involved, an administrative tribunal should consider if there is a public interest. There is a difference between what is “in the public interest” and what is “interesting to the public.” The public interest means the interest of the public or group of individuals and not the interest of only one individual. Public interest is a matter of degree and balance. To
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