Saskatchewan Commissioner calls for improvements to privacy and access

The Information and Privacy Commissioner in Saskatchewan has released his annual report for 2006-2007. From the press release:

NEWS RELEASE – July 4, 2007

Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner tables 2006-2007
Annual Report.

Saskatchewan’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Mr. Gary Dickson, has submitted his
Annual Report for 2006-2007 to the Legislative Assembly. The document is available at the
website: www.oipc.sk.ca.

Dickson commented on a number of improvements in terms of compliance by Saskatchewan
public bodies with access and privacy requirements. He made recommendations to the
Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly as to how the province can do an even better job. This
includes:

• An open letter from the Premier to each of his Ministers stressing the importance of
  compliance with our access and privacy laws.
  
• Making each Deputy Minister explicitly responsible for ensuring that his or her
  Department fully complies with our access and privacy laws.
  
• The need for Ministers, CEOs of Crown corporations and local authorities to provide
  clear direction and explicit support to the FOIP (access and privacy) Coordinators in
  each of their organizations.
  

Commissioner Dickson discussed a worrisome trend in the introduction of new laws and
regulations that diminish the information rights of Saskatchewan residents.

Dickson’s report includes 9 proposed steps for the Saskatchewan Government that would
promote excellence in meeting access and privacy requirements.

So far, this is the only media coverage I've seen: Prince George Citizen - Commissioner says Sask. officials need to beef up and encourage privacy laws.

Saskatchewan PI fined for accessing police computer system

Last month, a Saskatoon private investigator pleaded guilty to charges stemming from unauthorized access to police databases at an RCMP detachment. A few years ago, the PI's firm was investigated for a similar incident in which 6 government employees were ultimately suspended. See: CBC - Private eye fined for accessing police computer system.

Thanks to PI Buzz for the link.

Saskatchewan implements mandatory gunshot reporting

Saskatchewan, as of September 1, 2007, has become the second province in Canada to require healthcare professionals to report gunshot and stabbing wounds to the police. See: Sask. closes gun loophole: Lloydminster Meridian Booster, Lloydminster, AB.

Nova Scotia is considering doing the same; the Deputy Minister of Justice has been circulating a discussion paper on the topic this past week, seeking comments on the topic.