Ontario MNR outsources to U.S. for-profit company, contributes to joblessness and puts jobs at risk

Public service jobs of the people of Ontario have been outsourced to the U.S. for profit.

Toronto (28 May 2012) - Sarah Campbell, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Kenora-Rainy River, is calling on the province's Privacy Commissioner to investigate increasing concerns that residents' personal information is being compromised by a Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) decision to outsource hunting and fishing licenses to a Tennessee company.

After raising concerns about the outsourcing just over a month ago, Campbell says her offices have received a number of calls from residents concerned with their personal information being stored across the border.

"When a member of the public calls the MNR licensing phone line, they are now warned that personal information will be stored outside of Canada, and will be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction where it is stored," Campbell wrote in a letter to the commissioner.

While the Ministry claims its contract with the American company forbids the use of information collected, American laws like the Patriot Act can require that private information be turned over to a third party.

In Question Period, Campbell grilled the Minister of Natural Resources over the decision to outsource the services.

"Why are Ontarians losing out on jobs because services are being sold off to companies in other countries, all while putting our privacy at risk?" asked Campbell. "There's close to 600,000 people out of work in this province and now, more jobs that could very well be performed by people in this province as a public service have been outsourced to the United States for profit."

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE