“Are you one of the 3.5 million Canadians in this
RCMP database? You do have the
right to know!”
Ottawa – This week, Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, met with Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski to discuss their shared privacy concerns with respect to the implementation of the Canadian Firearms Program. A copy of the Privacy Commissioner’s February 16th letter is available by clicking here.
“Following the meeting, I
had the opportunity to review a pamphlet distributed by the Office of the
Privacy Commissioner titled, “Your Privacy Rights: A Guide for Canadians.” It was
a surprise even to me that the Firearms Interest Police (FIP) database violates
all seven privacy rights which, as the brochure notes, are protected in Canadian
law.” Here’s how the RCMP
database violates the privacy rights of more than 3.5 million Canadians:
1.
The RCMP has not told the
3.5 million Canadians in the FIP database why they collect, use or discloses
their personal information.
2.
The RCMP has not asked the
3.5 million Canadians in the FIP database for their consent to collect, use or
disclose their personal information.
3.
The RCMP has not informed
the 3.5 million Canadians in the FIP database who in the organization is
responsible for protecting their personal information.
4.
The RCMP has not informed
the 3.5 million Canadians in the FIP database what security measures are in
place to protect their personal information.
5.
The RCMP has not asked the
3.5 million Canadians in the FIP database if the information on them is
accurate, complete and up-to-date.
6.
The RCMP has not informed
the 3.5 million Canadians in the FIP database how they can obtain access to
their personal information. In many
cases when a citizen does discover the government has a FIP file on them, they
can’t get the RCMP to make corrections.
7.
The RCMP routinely shuffles
complaints about the incorrect personal information in the FIP file to other
agencies and levels of government.
Even serving RCMP officers
are concerned about the errors in their own FIP file. Yesterday, the Edmonton Sun reported: “Dennis Massey, superintendent of the RCMP’s local K-Division said
database flaws could cause the Mounties serious hardship.
‘This could impact on our (investigation) priorities,’ said Massey.
‘I have very grave concerns about this.’”
“Canadians who are
concerned about the personal information the RCMP have collected without their
knowledge or consent are invited to file a Personal
Information Request Form with the RCMP,” advised
Breitkreuz. “There is no fee for
making these requests,” informed Breitkreuz.
Note:
A copy of the Personal
Information Request Form is attached or is available from
the Privacy Commissioner’s website at: http://www.privcom.gc.ca/
. Go to “Publications” and click on “How
to find your personal information.”
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For a copy of the Personal Information Request Form click here