I Have One Simple Question for the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories . . .
But first, here's some background information . . .
The GNWT intercepted and retained 511 emails sent to my former work email after I left my employment on March 12, 2014 (thinking I'd never know)
This is the exact type of Cyber Incident that I used to investigate for the GNWT (so I did suspect)
I compiled this list after receiving responses from access to information requests from the GNWT
And here's why I think these 394 emails matter:
202 Emails from Securities Commissions and the CSA:
Important because:
- many likely contain Material Non-Public Information (i.e. insider information)
- many likely include personal information regarding registrants and market participants
Why this is a problem:
- Persons with access to inside information regarding market participants have an unfair advantage in the operation of securities markets
- Even the mere appearance of impropriety can seriously undermine confidence in capital markets and securities regulation
209 Emails from Lawyers and Attorneys:
Important because:
- Lawyers (and Attorneys) have a duty to deal with each other with courtesy, good faith, and candour
Why this is a problem:
- In the Northwest Territories, the only obligation triggered by the receipt of an email from a lawyer (or attorney) to a lawyer who was not the intended recipient is to “promptly notify the sender”
- a lawyer (or lawyers) at the GNWT failed to meet this obligation up to 209 times
173 Emails from the United States:
Important because:
- Principles of international comity dictate that we respect the laws of other jurisdictions
Why this is a problem:
- All 50 states have data breach notification laws
- At least 35 states have data disposal laws
Here's one more reason I think these 394 emails matter:
These 394 emails somehow also survived the deletion of my former work email on March 16, 2015
The GNWT refuses to explain why these 394 emails were intercepted and why they survived deletion
I want to know how they could keep these emails when they were not the intended recipient, and I want to know why for one very simple reason . . .
. . . I also get emails where I am not the intended recipient
So, my question for the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories is simple:
What gave the GNWT the right to intercept and retain these 394 emails without notifying the senders?
And now . . . a short discussion about copyright:
© 2020 Donn MacDougall