Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner. Guide to FOIP, Chapter 4, Exemptions from the Right of Access. Updated 8 April 2024. 202 iv) The possessor must have an interest (e.g., an economic interest) worthy of legal protection.718 The information must meet all the above criteria to be considered a trade secret. The types of information that could potentially fall in this class include the chemical composition of a product and the manufacturing processes used. However, not every process or test would fall into this class, particularly when the process or test is common in a particular industry.719 If the government institution determines that the information qualifies as a trade secret and it intends to withhold it, it should ask the third party if it consents to the release of the information pursuant to subsection 19(2). Consent should be in writing. Pursuant to subsection 19(2) of FOIP, where a record contains third party information, the government institution can release it with the written consent of the third party. Pursuant to subsection 19(3) of FOIP, where a record contains third party information, the government institution can release it if disclosure is in the public interest and the information relates to public health, public safety or protection of the environment. In addition, the public interest clearly outweighs in importance any financial loss or gain, prejudice to competitive position or interference with contractual negotiations of the third party. For further guidance, see Subsection 19(3) of this Chapter. In Canadian Bank Note Limited v. Saskatchewan Government Insurance, (2016), Justice Zarzeczny found that unit prices in a contract between Saskatchewan Government Insurance and a third party (Veridos Canada Ltd.) did not qualify as a trade secret. 718 Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. v. Canada (Health), [2012] 1 SCR 23, 2012 SCC 3 (CanLII) at p. 7. Definition relied on by Justice Zarzeczny in Canadian Bank Note Limited v Saskatchewan Government Insurance, 2016 SKQB 362 (CanLII) at [32]. 719 Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Access to Information Manual, Chapter 11.14.2. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy/accessinformation/access-information-manual.html#cha11_14. Accessed July 22, 2019.
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