B.C. privacy commissioner will hear First Nations complaints about COVID-19

BC's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael McEvoy, will investigate a complaint by a coalition of First Nations about how the Health Ministry releases details about COVID-19.

The Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Tsilhqot'in National Government and Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council say a lack of timely, specific information about confirmed cases makes it difficult to keep the virus out of their communities, or track cases when they emerge.

McEvoy says he agreed to take on the complaint after he reviewed correspondence between the First Nations and the ministry and determined an informal solution was unlikely.

The two sides have until October 22nd to submit their arguments and McEvoy will issue his decision after that.