Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Kathy Corrigan is raising concerns following a report from B.C.'s Information and Privacy Commissioner on the increasing use of employment related police information checks and the kinds of information released to potential employers.
Corrigan, who is the NDP's justice critic, highlighted several points from the report and is planning to raise the issues in the legislature.
"I think the report raises very serious concerns about the nature of police information checks that people undergo when seeking employment or volunteers opportunities," Corrigan told the NOW.
Commissioner Elizabeth Denham stated that the report was "one of the most important investigation reports, if not the most important," that she has issued in her role that as Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia.
"These (police information) checks can disclose sensitive personal information including mental health illnesses, suicide attempts, and allegations or investigations that did not result in charges or convictions; information that is untested and unproven in court," Denham wrote. "The current record check system in British Columbia permits the release of more mental health information and other non-conviction information than the vast majority of other jurisdictions we studied."
According to Corrigan, part of the problem is police use a database called PRIME, which includes information not just on criminal convictions, but on peace bonds, probation and prohibition orders, charges, warrants, and charges that are diverted in cases where the person never had to appear in court.
"In addition, non convictions, cases that were withdrawn or dismissed, those would be disclosed as well, according to this report, information in databases like PRIME that documented that the applicant was suspect whether or not there were charges," Corrigan said. "One of the areas of greatest concern is where someone has been apprehended under the Mental Health Act, and they've had an incident, that information would also be there."
Corrigan pointed out that Denham felt that record checks for people working with children or vulnerable adults or people with disabilities were being dealt with appropriately. However, when it comes to volunteering or applying for a job, too much personal information is being released by police and that Denham found there was an imbalance between an employer's right to relevant background information and an individuals' right to privacy.
As justice critic, Corrigan is allowed an extended period to question Justice Minister Suzanne Anton when the legislature deals with budget estimates. Corrigan is planning to raise concerns reflected in the privacy commissioner's report in the coming weeks.
