Privacy and Safety / Emergency Situations
Certain situations may permit or require TRU to share personal information in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited. This is the case where the health and safety of an individual or group of people may be at risk. It is important to note that, as a general principle, safety trumps privacy.
Personal information may be shared in the following circumstances:
- the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of an employee, (where this is the case, the information may only be shared with TRU employees as needed);
- the General Counsel determines that compelling circumstances exist that affect anyone's health or safety; and/or
- to enable the next of kin or a friend of an injured, ill or deceased individual to be contacted.
In each of these circumstances, only the minimal amount of personal information should be shared and only to those with a reasonable need to know.
In addition, TRU is legally required to disclose to the public, to an affected group of people or to an applicant, information about a risk of significant harm to the environment or to the health or safety of the public or a group of people. Such a disclosure must be given without delay. If you believe such a situation exists, it is important to immediately notify the Privacy and Access Officer at privacy@tru.ca.
It is also important to note section 14 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act, which requires a person who has reason to believe that a child (or youth under the age of 19) has been, or is likely to be, abused or neglected must promptly report the matter to the Ministry of Children and Family Development. This section can be accessed online here: Section 14.
