Ontario’s privacy commission has decided that the province’s mines minister, Shelley Martel, revealed “personal information” about an Ottawa man and, consequently, has violated the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
The accusation arose after Charles Ficner began writing to Ontario Members of Parliament to garner support for a private members bill aimed at changing the province’s mining land tax.
After Ficner began to solicit support, Martel wrote a letter about Ficner in response. According to the Toronto Star, the letter included Ficner’s name, when he acquired the land and when he paid his taxes. In addition, it included the fact that he held mining lands and his plans regarding whether or not to allow mining on his property.
Martel’s letter stated the mining land tax was designed “to encourage land holders to relinquish mining rights to the Crown if they have no intention or desire to explore or develop the land’s mineral resources.”
The commission’s report recommends that the government take steps to remind staff at the Ministry of Mines of the requirements of the Privacy Act to ensure such disclosures do not occur again.
Be the first to comment on "Martel accused of violating Privacy Act"