Provincial officials have confirmed a major privacy breach affecting both patients and staff at at least two regional health authorities – Eastern Health and Labrador-Grenfell Health.
Premier Andrew Furey made the announcement this afternoon.
The breach has been confirmed as a result of the ongoing investigation into a major cyber attack that has paralyzed the health care system.
As of right now, the personal information of both patients and staff at Eastern Health and Labrador Grenfell Health is involved. Western Health appears to be unaffected, while the investigation into whether the privacy breach affects Central Health is underway.
The banking information of staff is not believed to be part of the security breach.
Information at risk includes names, addresses, MCP numbers and other information provided when checking into a hospital in Eastern Health over the last 14 years and Labrador-Grenfell Health in the last nine years.
Health Minister John Haggie outlined some of the information accessed.
Employee information may include names, addresses, contact information and social insurance numbers. There is no evidence to suggest that banking information is involved says Haggie. Patient information includes all the types of information gathered on registration including names, addresses, MCP number, phone number, birth date and marital status. There is no evidence to suggest that vendor information has been obtained.
There is no evidence to suggest that any of the personal information accessed has been misused.
The exact number of people affected is not yet known, but officials will be issuing a public notification regarding strong passwords and other online precautions to take.
Service Canada advises taking the following steps if you believe your social insurance number is being used fraudulently:
File a complaint with the police. Ask for the case reference number and the officer’s name and telephone number. If you choose to obtain a copy of the police report, make sure it states your name and SIN.
Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. The national anti-fraud call centre is jointly managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police and Competition Bureau Canada. They provide advice and assistance about identity theft.
Call Canada’s two national credit bureaus. Ask for a copy of your credit report. Review it for any suspicious activity. Also check to see if your credit file should be flagged (fees may be applicable). To obtain additional information regarding fees and other requirements, please contact: Equifax: 1-800-465-7166 and TransUnion: 1-800-663-9980.
Inform your bank and creditors by phone and in writing about any irregularities.
Report any irregularities in your mail delivery to Canada Post, for example, opened envelopes, missing financial statements or documents.
Visit a Service Canada office and bring all the necessary documents with you proving fraud or misuse of your SIN. Also bring an original identity document (your birth certificate, or immigration or citizenship document). One of our officials will review your information and provide you with assistance and guidance.
A provincial call centre will be up and running at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. The number to call at that time is 1-833-718-3021. More information can be found here.
TORONTO – Restaurant Brands International Inc. reported net income of US$357 million for its third quarter, down from US$364 million in the same quarter last year.
The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says its profit amounted to 79 cents US per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with 79 cents US per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue for the parent company of Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs, totalled US$2.29 billion, up from US$1.84 billion in the same quarter last year.
Consolidated comparable sales were up 0.3 per cent.
On an adjusted basis, Restaurant Brands says it earned 93 cents US per diluted share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 90 cents US per diluted share a year earlier.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 95 cents US per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Fortis Inc. reported a third-quarter profit of $420 million, up from $394 million in the same quarter last year.
The electric and gas utility says the profit amounted to 85 cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from 81 cents per share a year earlier.
Fortis says the increase was driven by rate base growth across its utilities, and strong earnings in Arizona largely reflecting new customer rates at Tucson Electric Power.
Revenue in the quarter totalled $2.77 billion, up from $2.72 billion in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Fortis says it earned 85 cents per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 84 cents per share in the third quarter of 2023.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 82 cents per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
TORONTO – Thomson Reuters reported its third-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago as its revenue rose eight per cent.
The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says it earned US$301 million or 67 cents US per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30. The result compared with a profit of US$367 million or 80 cents US per diluted share in the same quarter a year earlier.
Revenue for the quarter totalled US$1.72 billion, up from US$1.59 billion a year earlier.
In its outlook, Thomson Reuters says it now expects organic revenue growth of 7.0 per cent for its full year, up from earlier expectations for growth of 6.5 per cent.
On an adjusted basis, Thomson Reuters says it earned 80 cents US per share in its latest quarter, down from an adjusted profit of 82 cents US per share in the same quarter last year.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 76 cents US per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
