I94-098P

This investigation was initiated as a result of a complaint about the Ministry of Finance (the Ministry). The complainant, an employee of the Ministry, was concerned that the Ministry's collection of employees' Social Insurance Number (SIN) on three internal forms, entitled "Statement of Travelling Expenses", "Request for Leave of Absence", and "Request for Advance", was in contravention of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act.) The complainant stated that if the SIN was not provided, the forms were returned to the employee, unprocessed.

The complainant was also concerned about the lack of confidentiality during the processing of these forms. The complainant stated that the forms passed through several hands, and were often left unattended on staff desks, where unauthorized individuals could have access to the SIN. The complainant stated that it was possible for someone to obtain personal, financial and medical information from Revenue Canada, or from the insurance company providing employee benefits by providing a name, address and the SIN.

• FIPPA
• 2(1) personal information (c)
• 38(2)

• social insurance number
• Social Insurance Number