Office of the Information and Privacy
Commissioner
September 3, 2009
Information and Privacy Commissioner to
Host
National Meeting of Counterparts in St. John�s
The Office of the Information and
Privacy Commissioner in Newfoundland and Labrador will
host a meeting of the commissioners and other privacy
and access to information oversight officials from
across the country. The event is scheduled for September
8 to 10 and will be an opportunity to engage in high
level discussions about issues relating to access to
information and protection of privacy. Several expert
presenters have been invited as well, so that delegates
to the meeting can learn about cutting edge access and
privacy issues. The theme for this meeting is Health
Information Privacy, although there will be sessions on
other privacy issues and on access to information
issues. It is hoped that the meeting will produce one or
two joint resolutions about important emerging privacy
issues, details of which will be announced on September
10.
Commissioner Ed Ring noted that while
these meetings have traditionally been held once or
twice a year, this is the first time that such a meeting
has been hosted by this province: "We are looking
forward to this opportunity to share and discuss common
issues and concerns with other Commissioners. Both
access to information and protection of privacy are
constantly evolving, so it is always a great learning
opportunity when we get together."
Furthermore, Commissioner Ring noted
that the timing for a meeting focused on health privacy
couldn�t be better given that the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador, like most other jurisdictions
in Canada, has recently passed legislation for the
protection of personal health information (which is now
awaiting proclamation). He also noted that each province
and territory is in the process of developing electronic
health record systems: "One of the clear messages from
the Cameron Inquiry is that our health system needs a
more accurate way to track test results in order to
better assist patients and caregivers in making timely
decisions. One way to do that is through electronic
health records, however we also need to make sure
privacy is built in along the way."
The commissioner looks forward to
welcoming the delegates to Newfoundland and Labrador.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Ed Ring
Information and Privacy Commissioner
709-729-6309
2009 09 03
9:00 a.m.