Saskatchewan’s privacy commissioner flags alleged illegal immigration scheme
REGINA – Saskatchewan’s Information and Privacy Commissioner is urging law enforcement officials to consider prosecuting a former government official who improperly accessed personal information as part of an alleged illegal immigration program.
Ron Kruzeniski says he cannot comment on the evidence, but says the case should be referred to prosecutors so they can determine if charges are warranted.
His investigation revealed that an immigration officer had improperly accessed the information of 23 clients who wanted to come to Saskatchewan.
According to the report, the Department of Immigration suspected the employee was sharing customer personal information with a third party outside the Department as part of an illegal immigration scheme.
It says a complainant told the ministry that the third party was seeking money in exchange for approval of their immigration application.
The report says the employee has since resigned and the department is considering referring the case to the state attorney’s office to determine whether allegations of invasion of privacy are appropriate.
Kruzeniski recommended forwarding the file to the Justice Department and Attorney General, if not already done so.
He said a prosecution would send a signal to government employees that it is not okay to snoop and access private information.
“We must do everything we can to prevent employees from becoming rogue employees and not thinking out of curiosity that they can just dive into a system with immunity,” he said.
“Whether we have the evidence, I leave that to the prosecutors. But I really want the prosecutors to look closely and decide where there is enough evidence to do it – and I hope there is.
Kruzeniski said it is his understanding that Saskatchewan has historically not charged a person with violating anyone’s privacy under freedom of information and privacy laws.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 21, 2023.
