Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner. Guide to FOIP, Chapter 6, Protection of Privacy. Updated 27 February 2023. 294 In Review Report 258-2016, the Commissioner found that the name of the individual giving the opinion was also captured by the provision. The purpose and intent of the provision is to allow individuals to provide frank feedback where there is an evaluation process occurring. In addition, evaluating suitability for employment can take place not only during the hiring process but also during an employee’s tenure. Further, the provision can include unsolicited records such as letters of concern or complaint (Fogal v. Regina School Division No. 4, (2002)). In Review Report 010-2018, the Commissioner considered the equivalent provision in The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LA FOIP). The review involved the South East Cornerstone Public School Division #209 (Cornerstone). An applicant was seeking parental complaints and witness statements regarding an incident. Cornerstone withheld the records pursuant to several provisions in LA FOIP including subsection 30(2) of LA FOIP. Upon review, the Commissioner found that the records contained personal information that was evaluative or opinion material. Further, the Commissioner found that the personal information was compiled solely for the purpose of determining the applicant’s suitability for employment. Finally, the Commissioner found that the interview notes were provided explicitly in confidence. However, the written complaints were not provided implicitly or explicitly in confidence. The Commissioner recommended that Cornerstone sever the opinions and other personal information of individuals other than the applicant and release the rest. In Review Report 142-2022, the Commissioner considered a denial of access involving the Ministry of Social Services (Social Services). Social Services withheld portions of the record totaling 255 pages. It applied subsection 31(2) of FOIP to portions of the records. Upon review, the Commissioner found that the assessment information collected on the applicant was for the enumerated purpose of determining eligibility to an income program offered by Social Services. The assessment information contained the comments of the assessor. However, the Commissioner found that Social Services did not demonstrate that the scores on the assessment were provided explicitly or implicitly in confidence. As such, the Commissioner found that subsection 31(2) of FOIP did not apply.
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