B.C.'s Labour and Citizens' Services Minister Iain Black announced that at the request of government, Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis is expanding his audit into the access, use, and disclosure of personal information in the conduct of ICBC court proceedings involving jurors.

The minister requested the expanded audit after ICBC learned that the claims histories of jurors

in a recent Victoria trial were inappropriately accessed by an ICBC employee at the request of outside defense counsel. As a result of the ongoing investigation into that incident, ICBC has identified two more privacy breaches in connection with cases in 2000 and 2006. The ICBC Board of Directors notified the minister of these two additional potential incidents, and agrees with the need for an independent audit.

In a letter, the Ministry says that the purpose of the audit is to understand how, when and why personal information of individuals involved in ICBC jury trials may have been inappropriately accessed, and to provide recommendations on how ICBC can enhance privacy protection.

The information and privacy commissioner is an independent officer of the legislature. His mandate includes monitoring and enforcing provincial privacy legislation. He has already been notified by ICBC of the inappropriate access to personal information in the ICBC court proceedings. In addition to his normal role in such cases, he has agreed to undertake a comprehensive audit and prepare a report to the minister responsible for ICBC and the chair of the board of ICBC.

The audit of the insurance corporation's data management is expected to be finished by mid-October.