Canada’s privacy czar launches investigation into student information data breach

Advertisement

Advertise with us

The federal privacy watchdog says he has launched a formal investigation into a cybersecurity breach involving a student information system used across Canada.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/02/2025 (592 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The federal privacy watchdog says he has launched a formal investigation into a cybersecurity breach involving a student information system used across Canada.

Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne says the probe was launched after his office received a breach report from U.S.-based PowerSchool, which provides the affected software, and a complaint about the incident.

The majority of Manitoba school divisions have been impacted by the breach.

A man uses a computer keyboard in Toronto, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 in this photo illustration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
A man uses a computer keyboard in Toronto, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 in this photo illustration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

PowerSchool has told school boards in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta and elsewhere across North America that it experienced a data breach between Dec. 22 and 28.

The Toronto District School Board said last month that its students’ addresses, health card numbers, emergency contacts and some medical information may have been stolen in the data breach.

Dufresne says his “immediate focus” is to ensure that PowerSchool is taking measures to reduce the risk to those affected by the breach and prevent this from happening again.

He says the company is notifying affected Canadians and offering them credit monitoring and identity protection services.

— The Canadian Press 

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

A Canadian team lifting the Cup just one of several storylines to tee up NHL season

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

A Canadian team lifting the Cup just one of several storylines to tee up NHL season

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read 7:20 PM CDT

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe

There’s no shortage of compelling storylines surrounding the Winnipeg Jets as they head into a new season.

How will the Connor Hellebuyck crease crisis get settled? Can 18-year-old Viggo Bjorck quickly become the next big thing? Was last year’s plunge in the standings an exception or the new normal? Is head coach Scott Arniel’s seat getting hot?

We’ll continue to be all over those questions, including a series of Jets previews coming your way next week. But it’s not just the local hockey happenings that have our attention here at Dump & Chase.

Read
7:20 PM CDT

Husband of rival sex club owner accused in attempted bathhouse bombing

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Preview

Husband of rival sex club owner accused in attempted bathhouse bombing

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:22 PM CDT

A Winnipeg bathhouse owner says he was shocked to learn the man accused of planting a pipe bomb outside his business is married to the owner of a competing sex and lifestyle club.

Christopher Gregoire, who recently took ownership of AQ Sauna, said a live pipe bomb was found by a “heroic patron” outside the club, formerly known as Aquarius Bath House, in the early morning hours of Sept. 11.

On Thursday, the Winnipeg Police Service announced Erik Lymen Olson, 59, was facing multiple charges in the incident. Olson is the husband of Adonis Men’s Spa owner Doug Pomanski.

“This is wild,” Gregoire said after learning of the charges.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 6:22 PM CDT

Potential Jets backup options include two possible netminder reunions

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Potential Jets backup options include two possible netminder reunions

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2026

Kevin Cheveldayoff couldn’t help but make light of the situation.

Near the end of the press conference to discuss where things stand with training camp holdout Connor Hellebuyck, the general manager of the Jets was asked if he felt comfortable with the five goalies who were in training camp.

“You know I can’t have five on the roster,” Cheveldayoff quipped.

Only Cheveldayoff knows for sure how he feels about the organizational depth at the position and whether he’s planning to open the campaign with either Dom DiVincentiis or Thomas Milic in the backup role behind Stuart Skinner.

Read
Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2026

Canada’s privacy czar launches investigation into student information data breach

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s privacy czar launches investigation into student information data breach

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

The federal privacy watchdog says he has launched a formal investigation into a cybersecurity breach involving a student information system used across Canada.

Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne says the probe was launched after his office received a breach report from U.S.-based PowerSchool, which provides the affected software, and a complaint about the incident.

The majority of Manitoba school divisions have been impacted by the breach.

PowerSchool has told school boards in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta and elsewhere across North America that it experienced a data breach between Dec. 22 and 28.

Read
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

Unhappy Dynacare staff refuse OT shifts; doors could be closed at clinics with Saturday hours

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Preview

Unhappy Dynacare staff refuse OT shifts; doors could be closed at clinics with Saturday hours

Carol Sanders 4 minute read 6:54 PM CDT

Some Winnipeg Dynacare sites normally open on Saturday were closed last week, and may continue to be because staff are refusing to pick up overtime shifts after they were forced back to work amid a labour dispute with the company.

Read
6:54 PM CDT

No more Jets 1.0 or 2.0: League announces all eras of Winnipeg’s club to be merged

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

No more Jets 1.0 or 2.0: League announces all eras of Winnipeg’s club to be merged

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:47 PM CDT

Mark Scheifele’s goal was always to chase down his mentor and former Barrie Colts head coach Dale Hawerchuk, no matter what the official record book said.

So when the NHL and the Winnipeg Jets announced on Thursday morning that they were consolidating the franchise history to include the 1.0 and 2.0 eras (including the Atlanta Thrashers chapter of the club), Scheifele was among those to give the move two thumbs up.

“Yeah, it clarifies it for you guys more, not as much (for) me,” said Scheifele. “It’s really cool to bring in the old Jets records, and especially Dale. Chasing him down was always on my mind. So, it’s cool to do it actually in the record books.”

Scheifele remains the franchise leader in games played (961) and he’s likely to eclipse Hawerchuk in goals (Scheifele has 372 to Hawerchuk’s 379) and points (Scheifele has 907 to Hawerchuk’s 929) this season. He now has Thomas Steen’s 553 assists in his sights after amassing 535 heading into 2026-27.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 5:47 PM CDT