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Ottawa urged to act amid ongoing privacy leaks in military sex misconduct deal

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Ottawa is facing calls to respond to a growing number of privacy breaches involving military members who experienced sexual misconduct while in uniform, with experts and opposition parties calling the errors unacceptable.

Epiq Class Action Services has admitted to releasing the personal details of more than 100 current and former Armed Forces members through 20 different privacy breaches since February.

The admissions have followed several reports by The Canadian Press in which veterans have come forward to report that they have received the names, contact details and claim numbers of others in error.

The most recent breach occurred earlier this month, and came despite repeated promises from Epiq that it had addressed the problems. It also followed the decision to have an external auditor assess the company’s claims process.

The Federal Court appointed Epiq to administer the government’s $900-million settlement deal, which includes processing the claims of the nearly 20,000 people who have applied for compensation.

Experts on military sexual misconduct say the breaches threaten to retraumatize affected service members, and undercut trust at a time when many victims and survivors are already leery of letting down their guard.

“There is such a high barrier for victims to come forward already, especially in a military environment,” said Megan MacKenzie, the Simons Chair in International Law and Human Security at Simon Fraser University in B.C.

“I imagine that the prospect that their submissions ⁠— which likely contain very personal information and experiences ⁠— might be breached or that their identities would be revealed would be incredibly traumatizing.”

While Epiq has described the type of information inadvertently released as “limited,” several veterans who received other claimants’ information have expressed concern that their own personal data and files could be compromised.

They have also criticized Epiq for not being more forthcoming about such privacy breaches. Charlotte Duval-Lantoine of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, whose book on military sexual misconduct was published last month, agrees with those views.

“There needs to be more communication as to what the problem is, and what is being done to resolve it,” she said.

“Putting in place an external entity to monitor the process can be reassuring, but the claimants need to be informed of what is being done every step of the way.”

A panel of claimants, lawyers and government officials tasked with overseeing the settlement ordered an independent audit of Epiq’s claims process in April to prevent further problems, and the company has said an external auditor has been hired.

Retired master corporal Amy Green, who was the first veteran to come forward with reports she had been sent the personal information of dozens of other claimants, said she had no idea an audit had been ordered.

In fact, Green and fellow veteran France Menard, who also received information intended for another claimant, say neither the company, the government nor the law firms involved in the class-action settlement have reached out since they came forward.

Green is also questioning why the federal privacy commissioner has not responded to her complaints about the Epiq breach, the first of which was filed in March.

The watchdog’s office has said it is looking into a breach that was reported by Epiq, but otherwise said little for months.

Bloc Québécois ethics critic Rene Villemure suggested the problem could be the office’s lack of resources, which was highlighted by outgoing privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien during a parliamentary committee meeting earlier this year.

“When the former commissioner appeared before our committee, he said: ‘We don’t have enough funding, so we can’t treat everything that comes in even though it is very important,” Villemure said.

“I’m calling for the government to give more funding to the privacy commissioner so that these cases can be pursued accordingly.”

He added that it is perhaps time for the Federal Court to reconsider its appointment of Epiq and look for another administrator.

The Department of National Defence says it has asked Epiq to investigate the causes of the privacy breaches and take whatever steps are necessary to make sure the problem doesn’t happen again.

For its part, the company has pointed the finger at staff who did not follow established protocols. Disciplinary action has been taken against those employees, according to Epiq communications vice-president Angela Hoidas, and the protocols have been reinforced.

Yet the fact the problems keep happening and Epiq has yet to face any serious pushback does not sit well with veterans, and they want the Liberal government to start weighing in ⁠— something it has so far refused to do.

The Conservatives and NDP have both piled on, accusing the Liberals of letting victims of military sexual misconduct down by not doing more to hold Epiq accountable for its repeated errors.

“This situation is unacceptable,” Conservative defence critic Kerry-Lynne Findlay said in a statement.

“I urge the minister of national defence to make good on her commitment to the victims of sexual misconduct in the military, and ensure that the victims are respected, and the integrity of the settlement is not damaged any further.”

NDP counterpart Lindsay Mathyssen echoed that sentiment, saying the Defence Department’s approach so far is not working.

“We hear the Department of Defence is asking Epiq Class Action Services Canada nicely to ‘investigate and take steps to ensure that this matter is contained, resolved and does not happen again,’” Mathyssen said.

“This is not enough from a government that claims they want to uproot this problem. The government must take on the concerns from victims and concerned members of the CAF to ensure their rights and privacy are respected.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2022.

 

Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press

 

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Sonia Furstenau staying on as B.C. Greens leader in wake of indecisive election

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The B.C. Greens say Sonia Furstenau will be staying on as party leader, despite losing her seat in the legislature in Saturday’s provincial election.

The party says in a statement that its two newly elected MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, support Furstenau’s leadership as they “navigate the prospect of having the balance of power in the legislature.”

Neither the NDP led by Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad secured a majority in the election, with two recounts set to take place from Oct. 26 to 28.

Eby says in a news conference that while the election outcome is uncertain, it’s “very likely” that the NDP would need the support of others to pass legislation.

He says he reached out to Furstenau on election night to congratulate her on the Greens’ showing.

But he says the Green party has told the NDP they are “not ready yet” for a conversation about a minority government deal.

The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind the NDP.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio making a difference off the pitch as well as on it

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Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio is making a difference, 4,175 kilometres away from home.

The 32-year-old Canadian international midfielder, whose parents hail from Colombia, has been working with the Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization, a charity whose goal is to help disadvantaged youth in the South American country.

Osorio has worked behind the scenes, with no fanfare.

Until now, with his benevolence resulting in becoming Toronto FC’s nominee for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which honours an MLS player “who showed outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community” during the 2024 season.”

Other nominees include Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.

The winner will be announced in late November.

The Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization (CCCO) is run entirely by volunteers like Monica Figueredo and Claudia Soler. Founded in 1991, it received charitable status in 2005.

The charity currently has four projects on the go: two in Medellin and one each in Armenia and Barranquilla.

They include a school, a home for young girls whose parents are addicted to drugs, after-school and weekend programs for children in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and nutrition and education help for underprivileged youth.

The organization heard about Osorio and was put in contact with him via an intermediary, which led to a lunch meeting. Osorio did his due diligence and soon got back to the charity with his decision.

“It was something that I wanted to be a part of right away,” said Osorio, whose lone regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner.

“I’m fortunate now that to help more now that I could have back then,” he added. “The timing actually worked out for everybody. For the last three years I have donated to their cause and we’ve built a couple of (football) fields in different cities over there in the schools.”

His father visited one of the sites in Armenia close to his hometown.

“He said it was amazing, the kids, how grateful they are to be able to play on any pitch, really,” said Osorio. “But to be playing on a new pitch, they’re just so grateful and so humble.

“It really makes it worth it being part of this organization.”

The collaboration has also made Osorio take stock.

“We’re very fortunate here in Canada, I think, for the most part. Kids get to go to school and have a roof over their head and things like that. In Colombia, it’s not really the same case. My father and his family grew up in tough conditions, so giving back is like giving back to my father.”

Osorio’s help has been a godsend to the charity.

“We were so surprised with how willing he was,” said Soler.

The TFC skipper has helped pay for a football field in Armenia as well as an ambitious sports complex under construction in Barranquilla.

“It’s been great for them,” Figueredo said of the pitch in Armenia. “Because when they go to school, now they have a proper place to train.”

Osorio has also sent videos encouraging the kids to stay active — as well as shipping soccer balls and signed jerseys their way.

“They know more about Jonathan than the other players in Colombia,” Figueredo said. “That’s the funny part. Even though he’s far away, they’ve connected with him.”

“They feel that they have a future, that they can do more,” she added. “Seeing that was really, really great.”

The kids also followed Osorio through the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s Copa America.

Back home, Osorio has also attended the charity’s annual golf tournament, helping raise funds.

A Toronto native, he has long donated four tickets for every TFC home game to the Hospital for Sick Children.

Vancouver’s Berhalter was nominated for his involvement in the Whitecaps’ partnership with B.C. Children’s Hospital while Montreal’s Sirois was chosen for his work with the Montreal Impact Foundation.

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.



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Five Things to Know: Toronto Raptors’ 2024-25 season

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TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors kick off the 2024-25 season on Wednesday night when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena. Here are five things to know ahead of the Raptors’ home opener:

THREE DECADES — It’s the Raptors’ 30th anniversary and the team has plans to celebrate all season, including bringing back their purple jerseys from the mid-1990s. Toronto will also be honouring former players, including Hall of Famer Vince Carter. He’ll be the first-ever player to have his Raptors jersey retired in a ceremony at Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 2.

DEPTH CHART — The Raptors lacked depth to start last season with essentially one player coming off the bench — shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. — with then-rookie swingman Gradey Dick sometimes rotating in too. That short bench was evident with a -4.4 net rating over the season, tied with the San Antonio Spurs for third-worst in the NBA. Net rating is an advanced stat that indicates how much better or worse a team performs on a per-possession basis.

However, a series of trades and four draft picks remade the roster and greatly improved Toronto’s depth.

Point guard Davion Mitchell, power forward Ochai Agbaji and centre Chris Boucher of Montreal will lead the reserves to start the season. All three have serious NBA experience, averaging more than 17 minutes per game in their careers. They’ll be joined on the second unit by centre Kelly Olynyk (back) of Kamloops, B.C., and small forward Bruce Brown (arthroscopic knee surgery) once they’re healthy for a robust veteran bench that can handle big minutes. Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto’s 19th overall pick in this past summer’s draft, will presumably be Dick’s backup at the two-guard once he’s recovered from a sprained shoulder.

COMMUTERS — Walter was the highest of Toronto’s four picks selected in the 2024 NBA draft in late June. Power forward Jonathan Mogbo (31st), point guard Jamal Shead (45th) and centre Ulrich Chomche (57th) were also selected. Although all four will see some NBA minutes this season — especially Shead, whose dogged defence was a highlight of the Raptors’ pre-season — they’ll also be regulars for the G-League’s Raptors 905 in nearby Mississauga, Ont.

IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT — The Raptors are in Group B for the NBA’s second-annual in-season tournament. They’re grouped with the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons. Toronto’s so-called Cup Nights will begin Nov. 12 in Milwaukee and continue when the Raptors host Detroit on Nov. 15. Their third tournament game will be Nov. 29 in Miami and then their group stage will end Dec. 3 when Indiana visits Scotiabank Arena.

Financial incentive has been added to the NBA Cup playoffs this season, with players on the winning team earning US$514,971 each, while $205,988 goes to each player on the runner-up team. Players who lost in the semis will get $102,994 apiece and players that lose in the quarters will get $51,497.

PORTER SENTENCING — Former Toronto backup centre Jontay Porter will receive face sentencing on Dec. 18 after he pleaded guilty in the summer to a U.S. federal conspiracy crime. Porter, 24, was banned from the NBA after admitting that he helped bettors by intentionally underperforming in games. Prosecutors have estimated that he could be facing a range from just under 3 1/2 years in prison to a little over four years.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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