B.C. privacy laws on sharing health data were relaxed March 26 as Minister of Citizens Services Anna Kang ordered that people’s health information might be shared with others inside and outside of Canada.
The order means that, under B.C.’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act that B.C.’s ministries of Health, Mental Health and Addictions or the Provincial Health Services Authority may disclose information:
for the purposes of communicating with individuals respecting COVID-19;
for the purposes of supporting a public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, or;
for the purposes of coordinating care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The order further said public bodies may disclose such information inside or outside of Canada on condition that disclosure is for the following:
is used to support and maintain the operation of programs or activities of public bodies;
supports public health requirements related to minimizing COVID-19 transmission such as social distancing, working from home, etc, and:
disclosure is limited to the minimum amount reasonably necessary for the performance of duties by an employee, officer or minister of the public body.