Privacy Commissioner should intervene to protect lottery winners
(BROCKVILLE) - P.C. Government Agencies critic Bob Runciman (MPP for Leeds-Grenville) today called on Ontario’s Privacy Commissioner to intervene to insure that lottery winners who wish to keep their identity secret can be allowed to do so.
Runciman’s call comes in the wake of news that a Quebec resident has been charged in an alleged extortion plot involving the winners of a $27 million jackpot.
The individual arrested by Montreal Police has been charged with, among other charges, conspiracy to commit murder.
“Privacy is a major concern in today’s world and I have to wonder why lottery winners’ have fewer rights than others in society” asked Runciman.
“Regrettably, there is always someone looking for an easy buck and in some cases prepared to commit murder in the process” he pointed out. “The Quebec incident shows that the requirement to reveal identity can put winners and their families at risk and public relations should never trump public safety.”
Runciman has asked Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian to review the privacy policies of Ontario Lottery & Gaming.
