A new class action lawsuit alleges the Canada Revenue Agency and Government of Canada failed to ensure Canadians were adequately protected from privacy breaches. (Photo: Cdtemple | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Class action lawsuit launched following CRA privacy breach

Aug 18, 2023 | 6:44 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Some Canadians could potentially be compensated following privacy concerns at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

A class action lawsuit has been initiated by Todd Sweet and HRE Law against the CRA and the Government of Canada. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants were negligent in safeguarding the confidential information of Canadians, leading to widespread privacy breaches.

Some residents received notices of the breach between March 1 and December 31, 2020. Sweet claims that inadequate safeguards allowed bad actors to access their online accounts without their consent, view confidential and private details, and in many cases, apply for Canada Emergency Response benefits.

It it unclear at this time how much money affected Canadians could receive if the lawsuit is successful.

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A statement from the CRA said the lawsuit is brought on behalf of:

• All persons whose personal or financial information in their Government of Canada Online Account was disclosed to a third party without authorization between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, excluding Excluded Persons.
• “Government of Canada Online Account” means:
  • a) Canada Revenue Agency account;
  • b) My Service Canada account; or
  • c) another Government of Canada online account, where that account is accessed using the Government of Canada Branded Credential Service (GCKey).
• “Excluded Persons” means all persons who contacted Murphy Battista LLP about the CRA privacy breach class action, with Federal Court file number T-982-20 prior to June 24, 2021.

Anyone who meets the above-mentioned definitions will be automatically included in the class action and will not need to do anything in order to participate.

People who wish to not partake in the lawsuit must complete the opt out forms and send it by mail or email to the following addressed by no later than November 27, 2023.

• Rice Harbut Elliott LLP
  Suite #820 – 980 Howe Street
  Vancouver, BC V6Z 0C8
  Email: service@rhelaw.com

Those who register on the RHE Law website will receive periodic email updates regarding the case. It is not a requirement to do this.

More information on the class action lawsuit is also available on the RHE Law website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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