Big game application mailing error leads to privacy breach

Some hunters in Newfoundland and Labrador were sent big game applications, including private information intended for someone else, the Department of Environment and Conservation says.

Of the 103,000 big game applications sent by Transcontinental Nova Scota Media Group Inc. for the government, 15 instances of people receiving their own application, along with a stranger's application, were reported.

On top of that, there have been two reports of hunters receiving unsealed envelopes.

"This government takes the protection of personal privacy very seriously," said Minister Dan Crummell in a news release Monday.

"We are working with the third party vendor responsible for the mailing to determine exactly what happened and to ensure that something like this does not occur again. We regret this error and apologize to those impacted."

The intended recipient's name, address, driver's licence number, as well as login and password information for the Wildlife Information Management System was included on the application.

All individuals impacted have been notified of the privacy breach.

The government is providing those effected with the opportunity to get a new driver's licence, at no cost.