Minister admits privacy breach ’embarrassing’

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This article was published 08/10/2010 (5478 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — The Conservative government promised swift action after what it admitted was an “embarrassing” breach of privacy involving a military veteran who was an outspoken critic.

Privacy commissioner Jennifer Stoddart said the Veterans Affairs Department broke the law by failing to protect the personal information of retired intelligence officer Sean Bruyea.

Stoddart released the findings Thursday of her year-long probe into a complaint from Bruyea, whose medical and financial information ended up in briefing notes to a federal cabinet minister.

“What we found in this case was alarming,” Stoddart said in a statement. “The veteran’s sensitive medical and personal information was shared — seemingly with no controls — among departmental officials who had no legitimate need to see it. This personal information subsequently made its way into a ministerial briefing note about the veteran’s advocacy activities. This was entirely inappropriate.”

Bruyea called Stoddart’s findings a vindication and said the violations are “morally disgusting to all Canadians.”

The department’s actions violated the Privacy Act, which says individual information must only be shared within government on a need-to-know basis.

Bruyea’s medical information, including diagnosis, symptoms and prognosis, were included in a 2006 briefing note to former veterans minister Greg Thompson. “What happened is serious and we will immediately take action — in fact, I can tell you that’s already begun,” said Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn. “I think it’s actually quite embarrassing.”

Blackburn said his department has hired a privacy expert to help implement Stoddart’s recommendations.

Officials have begun reviewing the department’s use of private information and penalties for breaking the rules.

Bruyea launched a legal suit against the government in September. He’s asking for $100,000 in compensation.

He said bureaucrats wanted to use his psychiatric reports — to smear him.

 

— The Canadian Press