OTTAWA– Liberal Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics critic Scott Andrews made the following statement today on the Conservative government’s loss of personal student loan information:
“This government’s loss of over half a million Canadians’ personal information is absolutely unacceptable and could have wide-ranging ramifications for the affected individuals and their families for years to come.
Canadians are rightly demanding to know how this unprecedented privacy breach was allowed to occur and what this government is doing to rectify the problem. Unfortunately, to date, they have been less than forthcoming.
To that end, I am introducing a motion before the House of Commons Privacy and Ethics committee to conduct an immediate investigation into this matter. I trust all parties will support it and ensure that Canadians get the answers they deserve.”
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Background:
Mr. Andrews’ motion is as follows:
That the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics hold meetings on the issue of the missing hard drive at Human Resources, Skills and Social Development department holding the personal financial information of 583,000 student loan borrowers, and the witness list include but not be limited to:
- Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
- Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- Murray B. Jacques, Director, Technical & Security Architecture , Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
- Marc LeBrun, Director General, Canada Student Loans Directorate
Liberal