Canadian privacy & access decisions

A complainant alleged that a counselling firm, part of her employer's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), improperly disclosed sensitive personal information to her employer and others. The firm revealed she was using counselling services and believed she was a danger to herself, which the complainant disputed as a misinterpretation. The OPC's investigation found that a miscommunication occurred during a phone call between the complainant and her counsellor regarding the meaning of "having a plan." The counsellor, believing the complainant was suicidal, contacted emergency services, including the complainant's workplace. The police later concluded the complainant posed no danger. The counselling firm and the complainant reached a private settlement with the OPC's involvement. The firm subsequently revised its policies on disclosing personal information, emphasizing detailed case notes and limiting information shared with emergency services.

• Whether the counselling firm improperly disclosed personal information about the complainant to her employer and others
• Whether the information disclosed by the counselling firm was inaccurate
• Whether the counsellor misconstrued the complainant's statements during a telephone conversation
• Whether the counselling firm's disclosure of personal information was justified under circumstances of perceived imminent danger