Recent calls by medical researchers and BC government officials to open up the province’s healthcare database are being met with trepidation by civil libertarians and the BC information and privacy commissioner, The Globe and Mail reports. Health researchers say giving them access to the data could lead to medical advances and cost savings. Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government Margaret MacDiarmid says, “It’s a matter of finding a way to move this forward…We need to get the conversation going.” In a statement this week, Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said, “We must ensure robust measures are in place to protect personal information where data is used.” Editor’s Note: Commissioner Denham will participate in the Fireside Chat at the upcoming IAPP Canada Privacy Symposium.
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