From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own. Carl Schurz

Monday, February 25, 2013

Wait ...WHAT?

Remember that first loss of personal data by HRDC, this one containing the personal records(inc heath records)  of Canadians applying for CPP, OAS benefits, EI and child care tax credits? Well it has now been reported that the Department of Justice is under investigation over this betrayal of Canadians privacy.

Which begs the question what was Justice doing with the personal health records of Canadians applying for benefits and why did HRDC feel fit to share this information with them.

Ted Charney, senior partner at Falconer Charney LLP, one of the law firms involved in the class action lawsuit on behalf of CPP applicants whose information was lost, finds it disconcerting that CPP information may have been shared with the Department of Justice Canada.

“I don’t know how somebody’s confidential health information to apply for a CPP disability pension ends up in front of employees with the Department of Justice,” he said. “I don’t know if somebody when they applied for a CPP disability pension ever realized that the government intends to show that information to other departments, including the DOJ.” 

My suspicion would be no, particularly the DOJ given their role in combating crime. Is every Canadian who applies for benefits in this country now deemed by the Harper government potentially  guilty of a crime?. Are we all under suspicion?

With the recent revelations that HRDC is sending inspectors to the homes of EI recipients and the $485.000 quota placed on EI investigators looking for fraud the answer would appear to be YES!

H/T @Min_Reyes

5 comments:

  1. The available evidence seems to suggest that the answer is "Yes".

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    1. I guess we shouldn't be surprised given the influence the Mike Harris cabal have in the ruling party

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  2. I'll state the obvious here, Kev, and suggest the DOJ should concentrate on combating crime in the Senate.

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  3. Yes Lorne that would seem to be a logical focus another I might add would be to look into SNC Lavalin's activities as many other governments have decided to do

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  4. One hotbed of crime that might repay a look would be the Conservative Party of Canada, an organized crime cartel if ever there was one.

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