Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

British Columbia Privacy Commissioner calling for changes to employee criminal record checks

July 26, 2012 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Employee Relations, Human Resources, Privacy and Security, Recruiting and Hiring

On July 25, 2012, British Columbia’s Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham published an investigation report recommending changes to the B.C. government’s use of criminal record checks to assess current and future employees.

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Proposed privacy changes in British Columbia

October 14, 2011 Christina Catenacci Human Resources, Privacy and Security

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2011 (Bill 3) was introduced in the British Columbia legislature on October 4, 2011. The Bill aims to facilitate digitization, compiling, sharing and combining of personal data across government ministries (including the Ministry of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government). Individuals would be able to access government services with a secure digital identification card and personal ID number.

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Employer and insurer both breached privacy of employee

June 29, 2011 Christina Catenacci Human Resources, Privacy and Security

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta has determined that an employer violated the Personal Information Protection Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act when it disclosed more information than necessary to determine the employee’s eligibility for disability benefits, and that the group insurance provider used the information without consent.

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Take access to information requests seriously

January 7, 2011 Christina Catenacci Human Resources, Privacy and Security

I recently read a case coming out of the Alberta Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner dealing with an access to information request. Though this was a case dealing with a public body, the principle applies to any information request: there was simply no reason to deny the disclosure of information.

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Employer performed unauthorized credit checks on employees

December 10, 2010 Christina Catenacci Human Resources, Privacy and Security

I recently read an investigation report from the Alberta Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, where an employer made a big mistake and ended up violating the privacy of at least 25 employees.

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