Information breach at CMHA Peel Dufferin

On July 20, 2020, CMHA Peel Dufferin sent information in an email about our crisis services which mistakenly contained personal health information. This personal health information is about clients who used our mobile crisis services from January 13^th, 2020 to June 30^th, 2020. The information was shared with the Region of Peel for circulation to local agencies working to provide supports during the pandemic. The error was discovered almost immediately, and an investigation was started. All recipients have been asked not to share any of the information and delete the message from their systems.

This mistake is CMHA Peel Dufferin’s and we deeply regret that this has happened. As a client-centred organization, the privacy of our clients and the confidentiality of your personal health information is something we take very seriously. We sincerely apologize to anyone who may be impacted.

CMHA Peel Dufferin is taking steps to help ensure this doesn’t happen again. We are reviewing and, where necessary, adjusting our internal information-sharing practices as well as reminding staff of our obligations under current privacy legislation.

If you believe you have been impacted by this breach, please call CMHA Peel Dufferin at this dedicated phone line: 416-522-9015.

For more information, please read this question and answer document.

If you have concerns with CMHA Peel Dufferin’s privacy practices, you may make a complaint to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPCO). More information can be found by contacting the IPCO at 416-326-3333 or visiting their website at:  www.ipc.on.ca.