The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.
The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.
For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.
Please note that I am only able to provide legal advice to clients. I am not able to provide free legal advice. Any unsolicited information sent to David Fraser cannot be considered to be solicitor-client privileged.
The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.
This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta has announced that the first charges ever have been laid under the Helath Information Act. The charges relate to improper access to health information and misleading the OIPC's investigator. From the OIPC's media release:
Charges laid under Health Information Act:November 23, 2006
Four charges have been laid against an individual under the Health Information Act. She has been summoned to appear in Calgary Court on January 15, 2007. This is the first time charges have been laid under provisions of the Health Information Act.
As a result of a complaint to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner an investigation was undertaken. Upon completion of the investigation, the matter was referred to the Regulatory Prosecutions Office of Alberta Justice. Following that consultation, two charges were laid for improperly accessing another individual's health information and two charges were laid for misleading the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's investigator.
The maximum penalty for a first offence under the Health Information Act is $50,000 for each charge.
Alberta's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Frank Work, says, 'These are serious allegations, and they are not to be taken lightly. As we move increasingly to electronic health records, the security of Albertan's health information remains paramount. We will do everything in our power to help protect this information'.
Labels: alberta, health information, incident, privacy
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