I Have a Simple Question for the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories . . .
But first, here's some background information that I got from access to information requests . . .
The GNWT intercepted and retained 511 emails that were sent to my former work email after I left my employment on March 12, 2014
Out of these 511 emails - I believe there are 395 emails of particular interest
. . . 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
Email 395 is entirely personal in nature and contains health information about an NWT Resident
Here's the biggest reason I believe all 511 emails matter:
These 511 emails also somehow survived the deletion of my former work email on March 16, 2015
The GNWT refuses to explain why these emails were intercepted and how they survived deletion
So, my question for the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories is simple:
What gave the GNWT the right to intercept and retain these emails without notifying the senders?
Whatever the GNWT did (or didn't) do with these emails, my name is connected to every one of them
Someone needs to be held accountable . . .
If the NWT Legislative Assembly can't hold someone accountable . . .
Maybe the NWT Legislative Assembly should be held accountable
Contact your Member of the Legislative Assembly
© 2020 Donn MacDougall