In a Calgary Herald column, Paula Simons calls for the Alberta RCMP to release the names of homicide victims. “To have a loved one slain is indeed a terrible thing for a grieving family,” Simons writes, “But murder is not a private family affair.” Citing the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s Valerie Lawton, Simons notes that while privacy rights last 20 years after death, “Lawton says federal privacy law allows government agencies, including the RCMP, to release information when the public interest clearly outweighs any invasion of privacy.” Simons contends: “Solving murders? Protecting the community? Safeguarding the integrity of the justice system? Those are pretty compelling public interests.”
Full Story