Information and Privacy Commissioner Frank Work has announced that he will not seek re-appointment as Commissioner when his term ends at the end of this year.
Work has been with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner since its inception in 1995. He served as Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel when the office was established to implement the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. He was appointed Commissioner in 2002 and re-appointed in 2007.
The Commissioner oversaw the expansion of the office when the Health Information Act (HIA) was passed in 2001 and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) in 2004. “I am particularly proud of Alberta for being one of four jurisdictions in Canada to pass a private sector privacy act (PIPA). I am proud of the fact that we were instrumental in making Alberta the only jurisdiction in Canada to have mandatory breach notification across the private sector. Ensuring that Alberta Netcare is as secure and accurate as possible is another source of pride.”
Work said “It has been my privilege to serve the people of Alberta in promoting open, transparent government and to guide citizens in the protection of their personal information. I leave with a sense of great pride in the work we have done with respect to access and privacy over the past 15 years”.
Work adds, “There are some other endeavors I wish to turn my attention to. The incredible rate of social and technological change which we are experiencing suggests to me that this change for the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is in order. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve Albertans in this way and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my staff for their hard work, dedication and loyalty. It has been a joy to work with these dedicated people.”
A special committee is to be struck by the legislature Thursday to begin the search for a new Commissioner.