‘Conquered people’ document release case back in Nova Scotia Appeal Court

Rebecca Jones was quoted in The Chronicle Herald article ‘Conquered people’ document release case back in Nova Scotia Appeal Court.

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“These proceedings have been about solicitor-client privilege,” Rebecca Jones, lawyer for the province, told Beveridge. “That’s what it has always been about.

“It has not been about an attempt to control information or to avoid embarrassment.”

Jones argued that the solicitor-client privilege is “a substantive right of utmost importance” and that the privilege demands “absolute confidentiality status,” regardless of who is publishing it.

She said the privilege is not limited to communications between lawyer and client but extends to protection of all the facts associated with the relationship, including financial records.

The government would like the stay extended until the completion of its appeal in the Supreme Court of Canada, if the highest court decides its appeal warrants a hearing.