PIPSC would like to advise you that it has come to our attention that in 2020 GEDS (Government Electronic Database) released the names of individuals and work details that were supposed to be exempt from being listed on this directory, including medical adjudicators. From there, third party websites (the two we currently know of are GOC411 and opengovca.com) picked up this information and also put it on their webpages. Both GEDs and these websites are public, however, GEDs is NOT third party, it is managed by the federal government. We have been asking the employer for some time to notify MA’s of this occurrence, but to date this has not been fully actioned which is what now prompts this communication. The initial occurrence involved a number of MA’s and we have been working to resolve the issue. However, recently it seems that a more pervasive publication occurred involving most MA’s across the country and the name, work site, floor number and cubicle numbers of the individuals were published. PIPSC is taking action to insist that this information be removed from both GEDs and the third party websites due to safety risk and concern.
At this time we are informing you so that you are aware of this situation. Please check the following sites from an external device (not your VPN connected government computer) to ascertain if your name and details appear there
https://opengovca.com/employee
https://gcdirectory-gcannuaire.ssc-spc.gc.ca/en/GCD/?rd=1that
As the Medical Adjudicators continue to work at home, this lessens the immediate risk to safety and security. At the same time, we are aware that there are individual circumstances where this information being shared publicly can be very significant.
PIPSC is working to resolve the issue as is ESDC. However, if you are an individual who feels your safety is affected by this occurrence, we ask that you contact your manager as well as Ashly Knott, A local and regional OHS rep in the WT who has been working with this matter for some time (ashly.knott@servicecanada.gc.ca)
We realize that this might be upsetting to some to learn your work details are on the internet and we hope it helps to know that there is a significant team working towards a swift resolution of this matter. Please also utilize our EAP services if you feel warranted. As the resolution of this matter progresses, we will keep you informed.
Lynn Ohlson