RCMP and private polling firm safeguarded data on gun licensees

This investigation concerned the handling of personal information collected by the RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program and used by EKOS Research Associates Inc. to survey firearms licensees. The OPC found that the RCMP was authorized to collect the information for program administration and that its use for a client-satisfaction survey was consistent with the original purpose. The RCMP also complied with the Act in providing data to EKOS, as the contract included strong confidentiality provisions. As a result, the complaint was not well-founded.

• Lawful collection of personal information for program administration
• Use of personal information for client-satisfaction surveys
• Compliance with contractual confidentiality and security provisions
• Adequacy of privacy impact assessments