Privacy rules don't apply, say P.E.I. Liberals

Protection of privacy legislation on P.E.I. does not apply to political parties, say the Liberals, so they had no qualms in using leaked information about a former employee.

'We had no qualms whatsoever about using the information.' — Spencer Campbell, Liberal Party

On Thursday, following revelations in the media about allegations of fraud and bribery in an immigrant investor program from three former government workers, the Liberal Party issued a news release. It contained information about the women's work histories, and what appeared to be two emails from Lana Tenetko, one of the women, addressed to Innovation Minister Allan Campbell.

Tenetko and another one of the women, Cora Plourd, are angry about the release, saying it is an invasion of their privacy.

Plourd said she was shocked that the release outlined her work history and discussed a human rights complaint she's made against government. Tenetko is upset her email address and phone number were released. One of the emails is labeled "confidential" in the subject line.

"It is supposed to be private information and now I'm talking to my lawyer about that," said Tenetko.

"It is invasion of privacy."

Spencer Campbell spoke for the Liberal Party in the news release. He is also acting on behalf of government in the human rights complaint from Cora Plourd, and so has access to information connected to that case.

Campbell said the emails Tenetko is complaining about were leaked to the party, and he doesn't know where they came from.

"The Liberal party is not subject to the information and protection of privacy legislation in this province," said Campbell.

"We had no qualms whatsoever about using the information."

Campbell said the party released information about the women in response to the serious allegations they made against politicians and government employees.

Plourd and Tenetko are looking at their options.