This release was issued under a previous government.
“Yesterday, I was informed by the Vice President of Medicentres Family Health Care Clinics by letter that a laptop containing the name, date of birth, provincial health card numbers, billing codes, and diagnostic codes of 620,000 Albertans was stolen last September.
“I was also advised that this theft was reported to the Edmonton Police Service and Alberta’s Privacy Commissioner.
“Today, I contacted the Alberta’s Privacy Commissioner to speak about this incident and to formally request an official investigation under the Health Information Act with an aim to find out what happened, why health authorities have only just been informed, and what, if any, breaches of privacy legislation may have occurred .
“I have also contacted Alberta’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Alberta Medical Association regarding this incident so that they may take any steps that they deem necessary.
“I would encourage any Albertan who feels they may be affected and is concerned about this incident to contact Medicentres Family Health Care Clinics. I would also encourage those same Albertans to review information available from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner if they would like information on privacy legislation in general.
“I am extremely disappointed that it has taken this long for this to be brought to the government’s attention. Albertans want to know that their information is secure and protected.
Albertans who want more information about what they can do if their personal information has been put at risk can visit the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner website, the Service Alberta Website, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Editor’s Note: The Minister will have a media avail in office 208 of the Legislature at 4:00 pm to make a statement and to respond to questions from the media.