An Edmonton man has filed a complaint with the Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner against the Pembina Hills school division alleging improper disclosure of his personal information.
Rob Wells spent several weeks protesting outside the Pembina Hills office in Barrhead earlier this year, as well as in front of Barrhead Composite High School and education minister Jeff Johnson’s office in Athabasca.
He was protesting the division’s stance on bullying, specifically in relation to former trustee Dale Schaffrick’s comments at the Nov. 19 Alberta School Board Association convention that gay students should “act less gay” if they did not want to be bullied.
Wells’ complaint about the division improperly disclosing his personal information relates to his name appearing in a letter sent home with BCHS students informing parents of his actions.
He explained that during the early stages of his protest, he had spoken with Pembina Hills officials about what he was doing and why he was doing it. During that conversation, he provided them with his name.
“I had no idea they would actually take it and spread it all around the country, which is what happened when (BCHS) principal Dave Garbutt sent out a letter to all the parents to advise them of who I was and what I was doing,” Wells said.
Although he didn’t mind the letter being sent out, Wells said he took issue with his name being included.
“I consider it to be retaliatory and threatening,” he said. “I consider that a violation of my privacy. They didn’t collect my information for that purpose and I certainly didn’t consent to it.”
Pembina Hills Supt. Colleen Symyrozum-Watt confirmed Wells had filed a complaint with the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and that a portfolio officer has been assigned to conduct an investigation. However, she would not say anything more specific about the matter.
“I won’t comment on Robert Wells’ contention,” she said.
Symyrozum-Watt added the investigator has a set procedure to follow, and the division will have to wait until the investigation has run its course.
“It would be premature to start saying what the outcome of the portfolio officer(’s work) is,” she said.
Wells said having his name made public by the division has caused him to fear for his well-being.
Over his time protesting against homophobia all over Edmonton and region, he said he’s been assaulted at least three times, and had the windows on his vehicle smashed. “It’s not just idle conjecture,” Wells said. “It’s quite substantiated concern.”
In addition, he said while he was protesting in Barrhead, a Pembina Hills employee had insulted him and made several derogatory comments to him.
“There’s a tremendous amount of hatred out there still in the community,” Wells said, clarifying he means in the wider community in general.
