Premier suggests 2013 promise not a promise, but a mistake

Just four days before the 2013election, Stephen McNeil promised, in writing, that if he became premier he would "expand the powers and mandate of the[Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia], particularly through granting her order-making power."

Almost five years later, the Liberal premier hasn't followed through on that commitment and nowsuggeststhe pledge wasn't an actual election promise.

McNeilsaid his position on granting the commissioner greater power and autonomy haschanged over the course of his mandate.

Office works 'great,' says premier

It's something "that happens, not only on this file, it happens on others," he said, adding that he's seen how the commissioner's office works first-hand as premier and described it as "great."

McNeil saw nothing wrong with having changed his position.

"I think what most NovaScotiansare grateful for, I'm not stubborn in my ways and I realize I make a mistake, I acknowledge it," he said.

But that's not the way Michael Karanicolassees things.

He's the Nova Scotian who received the letter from the Liberal leader back on Oct.4, 2013. At the time, he was with the Centre for Law and Democracy but is now with another advocacy group, the Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia.

Karanicolas said McNeilmade a promiseand should live up to his pledge.

"I think the letter speaks for itself," he told CBCNews in a telephone conversation.

'Doesn't provide a trustworthy picture'

Karanicolas said the situation faced by the commissioner's office hasn't changed in five years. The commissioner can recommend the release of informationor advise government on privacy matters,but has no power to order action.

"The context has not changed," he said. "The only thing that has changed is [McNeil's]own position.... So if he's talking about an evolution as a result of that, then fundamentally it's because the promise is no longer in his own political interests."

NDP Leader Gary Burrillwasalso critical of McNeil'sabout-face.

"It's sad to thinkthat they have one view in opposition and another view when they've got their hands on the steering wheel," he said.

"Doesn't provide a trustworthy picture."