(Montreal) The MP for Mont-Royal–Outremont, Michelle Setlakwe said she was disappointed by the refusal of the CAQ government to hold a parliamentary commission on the protection of personal medical data.
This request was filed by Mr.me Setlakwe, Liberal Party spokesperson for access to information and protection of personal information last spring.
The filing of this request came after the revelation of cases of unauthorized consultation of medical records.
In particular, a survey of The Press revealed in May 2023 several consultations of Véronique Cloutier’s medical file which were never authorized.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services supported the Health and Social Services Information Act which aims to create a digital health record for each Quebecer which should improve respect for the confidentiality of medical data.
“The entry into force of the law […] will provide additional leverage to the MSSS and the network in terms of protection of personal information, including accountability. Severe and criminal sanctions are also provided for in the Law for non-conforming uses », indicated the office of the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, in an email sent to The Canadian Press.
The Liberal MP considers that the digital reform of medical records is “a step in the right direction”, but believes that “it will take years before it is fully operational”.
A report from the Auditor General published in November 2023 indicates that establishments in the health network “lack rigor in the management of risks and incidents related to the confidentiality of digital personal information”.
Mme Setlakwe considers that the Auditor General’s findings are “damning”. Only two health care establishments were audited as part of the report, but the Liberal MP maintains that a parliamentary commission would have made it possible to paint “the complete picture of the situation”.
For its part, the Ministry of Health claims to have ordered a census of non-compliant consultations from establishments.