Debates of May 17, 2007 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have further questions for the Minister responsible for Human Resources on this breach of confidential information that was held on employees' files. Mr. Speaker, I think that the Minister acknowledges this is a very serious situation. When I questioned him in the House about it before when he repeatedly denied that it had occurred, he responded to the issue of a protocol to notify the people affected, and I quote from unedited Hansard: "I don't know what the exact protocol would be, but you can be assured that we would consider it to be a very serious event and one that we would follow up on." I'd like to ask the Minister responsible today, does he know what the protocol is for notifying employees whose private information has been accessed on the PeopleSoft program? What is the protocol? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister responsible for HR, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 113-15(6): Security Breach Of GNWT PeopleSoft Human Resources System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't believe that there is a protocol in place for advising people of the fact that if someone who maybe didn't have authority to see all of their information saw it. It is an issue that needs to be followed up on, I agree with the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 113-15(6): Security Breach Of GNWT PeopleSoft Human Resources System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot believe that given the amount of electronic information that this government deals with, our very expensive money that we've invested in PeopleSoft software and programming, that, my goodness, there would be no protocol established for a breach of that system. The Minister says he's going to get to the bottom of that and he also says he's going to get to the bottom of what actually happened. You know, I'm not that assured by that, given the fact that for over a month those same people in that department couldn't even inform him that there had been a breach and now he's going to talk to those same people to establish a protocol, and he's going to talk to those same people to find out what happened. I think we need some independent help, maybe from the Protection of Privacy and Information Commissioner. I'm not sure from whom, but I would suggest we need some objective outside resources on this one. Does the Minister agree? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 113-15(6): Security Breach Of GNWT PeopleSoft Human Resources System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will review the situation with the Premier and discuss what might be an appropriate response. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 113-15(6): Security Breach Of GNWT PeopleSoft Human Resources System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking of the Premier, I understand it is the Premier who is responsible for the appointment of deputy ministers, and I would be very glad to hear the Premier is going to be involved in this, and I'm sure the people in the public service will be glad to hear that the Premier will be involved in this as well. Like I said, at this moment, I'm not feeling real assured about trying to get the information of these same people who weren't forthcoming with the information, with something as serious as a breach, for over a month. So I would like the Minister's response to the idea of an outside, objective, independent look at this situation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 113-15(6): Security Breach Of GNWT PeopleSoft Human Resources System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I'll discuss the issue with the Premier and my Cabinet colleagues, and review the situation and we will make an appropriate response. I don't want to commit to anything without having all of the details, all of the background that I can get. Mr. Speaker, I'll ensure, though, that Members are kept informed of what process we embark on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 113-15(6): Security Breach Of GNWT PeopleSoft Human Resources System

Thank you for that, Mr. Speaker, and thank you that Members will be kept informed, but what about the members of the public service whose information has been put out there? Their privacy has been violated; their privacy has been breached. So thank you for keeping Members of this House informed. What are we going to do to inform the members of the public service, whose information, their private information, their social insurance number, their bank account numbers, has been out there for a period of time, whether it was for two hours or three weeks or whatever it turns out to be? What about them? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 113-15(6): Security Breach Of GNWT PeopleSoft Human Resources System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's a good point and we will make sure that we report to our employees on what happened, why it happened, how it happened, and what our response is and what will happen in the future. Thank you.