Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

CRA 'Accidentally' Gives CBC Tax Info

The Canadian Press , 25 Nov, 2014 10:43 PM
  • CRA 'Accidentally' Gives CBC Tax Info
TORONTO - The Canada Revenue Agency confirmed late Tuesday that it has accidentally disclosed confidential taxpayer information to the CBC.
 
The agency said the document was ”accidentally released” through human error and acknowledges this ”constitutes a serious breach of privacy.”
 
CBC reported that the tax information contains data about hundreds of Canadians — many of them rich and famous — including their home addresses.
 
The network said the 18 pages of spreadsheet data includes the value of tax credits they were granted covering the years 2008 to 2013.
 
Donations made by such high-profile Canadians as author Margaret Atwood, former prime minister Jean Chretien, grocery magnate Frank Sobey, cartoonist Lynn Johnston, pollster Allan Gregg and others were included.
 
The CRA said in a release late Tuesday that when it became aware of the breach, officials immediately contacted the CBC to retrieve the documents.
 
The agency said the CBC ”regrettably” chose to disclose names and a response from the network was not immediately available.
 
However, in its story on the breach, CBC News made clear it was not disclosing much of the information it had. The network said it was "withholding most details from the list, apart from the names of some of the people cited, out of respect for privacy."
 
The CRA said it has launched an internal investigation into the breach and has contacted the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
 
The agency also said it would contact the people affected to advise them of their right to complain to the Privacy Commissioner.
 
”The CRA shares the concern and dismay of those individuals whose privacy has been impacted and sincerely regrets this error,” said the statement from CRA commissioner Andrew Treusch.
 
The CBC said the information delivered to it in digital format was a mistaken response to a request for other information under the Access to Information Act.

MORE National ARTICLES

Crew member expected to testify at murder trial of fisherman in Cape Breton

Crew member expected to testify at murder trial of fisherman in Cape Breton
PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — The trial of a Nova Scotia man charged in the death of a lobster fisherman whose body has never been found is expected to resume today.

Crew member expected to testify at murder trial of fisherman in Cape Breton

Woman Found Dead In A Surrey Home, Husband Is In Police Custody

Woman Found Dead In A Surrey Home, Husband Is In Police Custody
taff Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says Mounties were called to the home (in the 6900 block of 152 St.) yesterday afternoon and found the woman's body.

Woman Found Dead In A Surrey Home, Husband Is In Police Custody

New Brunswick premier says Ontario's conditions for Energy East are reasonable

New Brunswick premier says Ontario's conditions for Energy East are reasonable
TORONTO — Conditions that Ontario wants met for its support of the proposed Energy East Pipeline from Alberta to the East Coast won't hinder the project, says New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant.

New Brunswick premier says Ontario's conditions for Energy East are reasonable

Nova Scotia man granted bail in possible case of wrongful murder conviction

Nova Scotia man granted bail in possible case of wrongful murder conviction
HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia man whose life sentence may have been the result of a wrongful murder conviction has been granted bail.

Nova Scotia man granted bail in possible case of wrongful murder conviction

Second young man accused in prominent child porn case in Halifax pleads guilty

Second young man accused in prominent child porn case in Halifax pleads guilty
HALIFAX — A second young man accused in a prominent child pornography case in Halifax has pleaded guilty.

Second young man accused in prominent child porn case in Halifax pleads guilty

Blue Cross reaffirms decision not to cover million dollar baby

Blue Cross reaffirms decision not to cover million dollar baby
HUMBOLDT, Sask. — Saskatchewan Blue Cross says it won't reverse its decision to deny the claim of a family facing more than $900,000 in medical bills for an unexpected child birth in Hawaii.

Blue Cross reaffirms decision not to cover million dollar baby