Patriot Act contravenes B.C. privacy laws: report
Last Updated: Oct 29 2004 10:31 AM PDT
http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regionalnews/caches/bc_privacy20041029.html

VICTORIA - B.C Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis says the U.S. Patriot Act violates provincial privacy laws ? and he wants the province to temporarily ban the transfer of personal information to the U.S.
 
Loukidelis says that o­nce information is sent across borders, it's difficult if not impossible to control.

He notes that under the US Patriot Act , the U.S. government can demand access to a wide range of personal, confidential information

The provincial government has already contracted out some business to o­ne U.S. firm ? and wants to use an American company to operate the Medical Services Plan.

The Privacy Commission began his investigation earlier this year after concerns were raised that that could put patient information into the hands of U.S. police agencies.

FROM MAY 28, 2004 : Patriot Act probe begins

Loukidelis says the ban is needed because British Columbians' medical information could be disclosed to the U.S. government under the Patriot Act, without people here ever knowing it happened.

He says this violates our own privacy laws.

And he also says the practice of data-surfing by government is becoming more and more common in the U.S.

He wants the province to hold off contracting out the health information services unless it can get agreement from Washington not to look at the information.

Loukidelis also calls o­n the federal government to negotiate an international treaty o­n how private information can be used and controlled when it crosses international borders.

LINK: Full text of U.S. Patriot Act (pdf)

LINK: U.S. Justice Dept. background o­n Act