Photo by Whitehorse Star
Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee
‘I offer my sincere apologies to those impacted’
Ed. note: Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee released this statement Tuesday.
Ed. note: Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee released this statement Tuesday.
On October 13, the Department of Health and Social Services was made aware of a privacy breach by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
On behalf of the Government of Yukon, I offer my sincere apologies to those impacted by this privacy breach.
Ensuring that Yukoners’ personal information is protected and secure is of the utmost importance, and we are taking this situation very seriously.
The department is finalizing its review of the information to identify and notify all affected individuals directly by registered mail by the end of the week.
We will be providing each individual with contact information and someone they can talk to at Health and Social Services. We will be following up and reaching out directly with a personal phone call to those most affected.
The subject of the breach was an un-encrypted USB drive that contained case files from Family and Children’s Services. The files were removed from the Health and Social Services system by a former employee.
While the files are not recent, they are sensitive in nature, and the former employee was not authorized to have taken this information. The former employee abandoned their belongings in a storage unit, which later ended up being sold to a local pawn shop.
Within 24 hours of being notified by the Information and Privacy Commissioner, we were confident that all information on the USB drive was recovered and secured.
We now have the USB drive safely in our possession, and we have confirmed with the three individuals who were known to have witnessed some of the contents of the device that they have destroyed any copies of information on the USB drive and that they have not disclosed any of the confidential information.
While the investigation continues, this file remains open with the RCMP as the department considers further action.
Prior to this breach coming to light, the Department of Health and Social Services replaced its case management system to one where files are now only accessible through a government port with security log-in.
Protecting client information is foundational to providing safe social services and staff who handle client information are trained on the comprehensive procedures we have in place to protect our clients.
While staff are trained to follow these policies, protocols and safeguards, the department is reiterating and reviewing staff obligations and responsibilities to further protect the private person information and health information of Yukoners.
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Comments (13)
Up 18 Down 1
Social Workers on the Yukon have no ethics… This is dangerous to the public good! on Oct 21, 2022 at 5:51 pm
Absolutely correct June on Oct 20, 2022 at 5:45 pm:
Not only have I seen this too but I have also seen offices with papers everywhere - Not in files. I have seen years worth of peoples information located in boxes, behind cabinets, in common areas, and on and on.
I have witnessed and observed management hide information, and shred information rather than file it.
Many of these people are not guardians of the public trust but rather destroyers of it. I reported multiple breaches spanning years worth of data about people - I was told to make the paperwork fit the practice - Jaw dropping stuff - And this was medical and mental health related data on real people.
But hey, it’s the Yukon. Ethics take a back seat to getting the job done. This is actually their unwritten rule. Ethics are secondary to and applied as long as they don’t interfere with the job - LOL!
I had one supervisor tell me that “they” fought against ethical regulation in the workplace. I could say a lot about that workplace but it would not be allowed in the comment sections.
Up 26 Down 5
Jake on Oct 21, 2022 at 12:07 pm
“ and I will be tendering my resignation immediately and live the rest of my life trying to make up for the mess I made” that is how she should have finished her statement.
Up 18 Down 5
Austin on Oct 20, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Look up the definition of the word sincere before you actually use it. Hey while you are at it look up the definition of decent. I had Lieberal BS in my mailbox as well. Doesn't even make good fire starter let alone reading material. All BS.
Up 28 Down 2
June on Oct 20, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Privacy… not a term YTG knows. Got into an accident with a YTG employee and she had a box full of client files in the car with them.
I bank at royal bank and sometimes I just watch their office and how many people carry files out of the office.
Sit at the local coffee shop and hear all the names being thrown out.
Again…. Privacy…. They need training.
Up 42 Down 5
1984 on Oct 20, 2022 at 11:22 am
This is perhaps how one of the most despised ministers in recent history retains her position. When the government continually devalues the dollar, info becomes the currency!
Up 26 Down 6
Psssssst! on Oct 20, 2022 at 11:19 am
It’s reminiscent of the Yukon government porn probe, without the innocence. The info has probably been sold to China by some “enterprising” bureauslobs by now. Hang onto your kids & your kidneys!
Up 10 Down 11
bonanzajoe on Oct 19, 2022 at 8:44 pm
@Shame on Oct 19, 2022: I got one too. However, I would like to know who paid the postage - the tax payers or the YLP. Want to check it out Currie.
Up 7 Down 2
bonanzajoe on Oct 19, 2022 at 8:41 pm
Yeah, that aughta do it.
Up 31 Down 3
Very lumpy rugs them Libs gots fo shurr… on Oct 19, 2022 at 7:53 pm
There may be a lot to dislike about McPhee and the Liberals but it is clear that she can keep a promise:
“The Yukon Liberals will increase the amount of government information available… [Well done McPhee - Mission accomplished]. Tracy was the Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner and Ombudsman from 2007 to 2012.”
Information is available everywhere under the Liberals - At the grocery store line ups, the Java Connection, Tim Hortons, local Pawn Shops, mass email outs… And on and on! McPhee can keep a promise that’s for sure!
Up 7 Down 37
Nathan Living on Oct 19, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Thank you for the apology. For those people attacking you, please acknowledge that a staff member created the information breach.
And with respect to the school incident, a letter was drafted early on to formally notify the parents but someone unfortunately put the brakes on it and it was not the Minister.
Up 81 Down 7
Olav on Oct 19, 2022 at 4:30 pm
The real question is:
What other YG employees have taken home private and confidential information?
AND- what measures are being taken to prevent this from happening again?
An apology doesn't cut it.
Up 88 Down 10
Shame on Oct 19, 2022 at 2:48 pm
How about you apologize for the hidden valley cover up McPhee? Afraid her job is on the line. I have noticed Liberal advertisement flyers in the mailboxes now hoping we all vote for them next election. The nerve.
Up 74 Down 9
Juniper Jackson on Oct 19, 2022 at 2:47 pm
Such an empty apology. This woman wouldn't have a clue about sincerity. AND, after her apology words, she goes on to defend the Department!!!
'Within 24 hours of being notified by the Information and Privacy Commissioner, we were confident that all information on the USB drive was recovered and secured."
"We now have the USB drive safely in our possession, and we have confirmed with the three individuals who were known to have witnessed some of the contents of the device that they have destroyed any copies of information on the USB drive and that they have not disclosed any of the confidential information."
There IS no way to control information leaks. Two breaches reported. How many are not reported? Too many people have access to information for leaks to be controlled.