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Course Description

This course is 14 learning hours over 10 weeks, including 3 hours of live online sessions. Learners who wish to do the final assessment to qualify for the microcredential badge attesting to their competency will spend an additional 2-3 hours completing the requirements. 


In this course, participants from municipalities, regional centres for education, post secondary institutions, police services, and Nova Scotia Government Agencies, Boards and Commissions will examine key legislated Information Access and Privacy (IAP) requirements, as well as best practices and how to apply them. Content in the Learning Management System (login required) is organized into 15 distinct learning modules with recorded lectures, readings, and case studies that reflect common Information Access and Privacy situations.

The modules begin with an overview of the status of Information Access and Privacy in the public sector and provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada. The course then proceeds to highlight key legislated obligations, first in Information Access, and then in Privacy. In the live sessions, learners will have the opportunity to share experiences and approaches of experienced professionals in dealing with the problems of day-to-day information access processing and managing privacy issues for their organization. 

Course Outline

Module 1: What Information Access and Privacy Means for your Organization

Module 2: The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Application Process

Module 3: Searches for Records

Module 4: Freedom of Information (FOI) Exemptions

Module 5: How to Deal with NSIPC Reviews of FOI Disclosure Decisions with Janet Birt-Gerrans, Director of Investigations, Office of the NSIPC

Module 6: What Privacy Means for Your Organization

Module 7: Privacy by Design (PBD)

Module 8: The Personal Information International Disclosure Protection Act (PIIDPA)

Module 9: Privacy and Social Media Background Checks in the Hiring Process

Module 10: Short Form Privacy Impact Assessments

Module 11: Privacy and the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Making Decisions

Module 12: Privacy and the Monitoring of Employees Working Remotely

Module 13: Privacy Breaches - How to Prepare for Them and Act on Them

Module 14: How to Prepare for and Respond to Ransomware Attacks through Table Top Exercises

Module 15: How to Deal with NSIPC Privacy Investigations with Janet Birt-Gerrans, Director of Investigations, Office of the NSIPC

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

  • develop strategies to respond to Information Access and Privacy challenges;
  • apply basic tools used to process Freedom of Information (FOI) applications;
  • apply exemptions and handle appeals to disclosure of records;
  • explain the five key privacy protection obligations in the NS legislation and how to implement them;
  • explore the legislated requirements on how personal information needs to be stored, accessed, and disclosed in Canada; and
  • examine major sources of privacy breaches and the best practices in preventing them.

Microcredential

FOIPOP - Problem Solving

This course provides learners with the opportunity to earn a microcredential. A microcredential is evidence of a skill or competency that is employment related. Dalhousie microcredentials are developed in collaboration with employers, industries, and/or organizations that relate to the content. A microcredential can be displayed on social media pages, digital resumes, personal webpages, and in email signatures. To earn the microcredential in this course, learners will need to successfully complete a competency-based assessment.

Learn more about this microcredential here.

Notes

The Faculty of OLCD recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for the most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses and workshops. A list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests can be found on our website. If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this workshop, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this workshop.

Recommended For

  • IAP Coordinators who work in the K-12 and Post Secondary Sectors as well as municipalities
  • Human Resource Professionals
  • Information Technology Professionals
  • Senior Management who work in the K-12 and Post Secondary Sectors as well as municipalities

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enrol Now - Select a section to enrol in

Section Title
Navigating Information Access and Privacy
Type
Online - Self-Paced
Dates
Apr 09, 2027 to Jun 18, 2027
Type
Online - Scheduled
Days
Wednesday
Time
7:00PM to 8:30PM
Dates
Apr 28, 2027 to May 19, 2027
Schedule and Location
Total Learning Hours
14.0
Location
  • Online Campus - Atlantic Time
Instruction Delivery Method(s)
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $675.00
Required Software
Students will require a webcam and microphone to participate in live sessions. This course requires a Dalhousie NetID. If you do not currently have a NetID, a NetID will be assigned to you, and—after registration—you will receive an email on how to claim your account. Once you have claimed your account, you will login to the Student Portal under the heading "I have a NetID Username and Password" on the far left of the login screen.

Section Notes

This course has scheduled written assignments and discussions within the term time frame. There will also be two (2) facilitated online sessions - click on View Details for dates. *Please note: Live session dates and times may be subject to change, but will be finalized six weeks prior to course start date.*  

The online learning platform will open at 4:00 PM AT on the course start date. The syllabus will be available on the course site. 

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