New Democrat citizens’ services critic George Heyman release the following statement:

“Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham’s report on the use of police information checks by employers in the hiring process raises significant concerns around the privacy and human rights of British Columbians.

“The commissioner called on the B.C. Liberal government to legislate changes to protect us from employment-related ‘police information checks’ that can disclose sensitive personal information including mental health illnesses, suicide prevention hot-line calls, and allegations or investigations that are unproven in court.

“Disclosing this information is inappropriate and damaging for many seeking jobs, and the thought of their personal information being released has caused a number of people to remove their names from consideration as community volunteers. The commissioner noted that B.C. allows the release of far more mental health and other non-conviction information than the vast majority of other jurisdictions reviewed.  She also stated that, with the exception of positions working with children or vulnerable adults where there is reason to release more information, there is no evidence that current police information checks improve public safety or hiring decisions.

“It is important that the minister responsible take immediate action and implement the commissioner’s recommendations to protect the rights and privacy of British Columbians. These include a halt to the release of police information until new legislation can be introduced.”