Canadian privacy & access decisions

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) inadvertently mailed the personal information of approximately 1,000 individuals to a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) journalist. This occurred due to an ATIP clerk mistakenly switching cover letters for two different response packages. The disclosed information included names, addresses, and details of donations. The CBC refused the CRA's requests to return the information, leading the CRA to initiate legal action. The OPC found that the CRA disclosed personal information without consent, contravening the Privacy Act. While the OPC noted the CRA's immediate remedial actions and action plan, it concluded that the disclosure did not meet the requirements of the Act.

• Whether the inadvertent mailing of personal information to a journalist constituted a disclosure without consent under the Privacy Act
• Whether the information disclosed was 'personal information' as defined by section 3 of the Privacy Act
• Whether the disclosure met the requirements of section 8 of the Privacy Act