Former police officer and Chief Government Whip Brad Rutherford says it's time for Rachel Notley to come clean after Edmonton-South MLA Thomas Dang pleaded guilty to vaccine data hacking..Rutherford is calling out Notley to disclose her role in the issue to Albertans..Dang pleaded guilty on Friday to running millions of illegal searches using the personal information of a conservative political opponent, but important questions remain to Rutherford about the role Notley and her senior staff played in Dang’s effort to obtain the private health records of Albertans..“But the evidence continues to show that Notley and her senior staff were involved in this scandal, and we still have no answers on that front," Rutherford said.."In September, the United Conservative caucus released a list of five critical questions that must be answered by Notley. We need those answers now.” .In Sept. 2022, Provincial Court Judge Shelagh Creagh unsealed court records that showed Notley’s office knew Dang conducted 1.78 million illegal health record searches in Sept. 2021. Before that, Notley denied knowing anything about Dang’s hacking activities until his home was raided by RCMP in Dec. 2021. She even appointed him as her “democracy and ethics critic” in Oct. 2021..According to court documents, Dang initially ran tests using his own information. He then used former premier Jason Kenney's birthdate and vaccination dates to test if he could access Kenney's health number..Dang's internet protocol (IP) address was blocked after five attempts but he was able to regain access using a widely available program. .Dang said he wrote an "automated program to test the system." From there he found the record of a person who shared Kenney's birthday and had received a vaccine in the same month as the premier..READ MORE: DANG IT! Data hacking MLA is logging off prior to next Alberta election.In July, the data hacking MLA logged off prior to next Alberta election..Dang withdrew his request to join the NDP caucus and will serve out his term as an independent, and won't seek re-election next year.A privacy commissioner investigation has also been started to determine why the portal was created with flaws leading to possible hacking and access to personal information.The Crown is seeking a $10,000 fine for Dang's data hacking activities, while Dang's defence is asking for under $4,000 "based on legal principle."Dang pleaded guilty to a single offence under the Health Information Act for hacking the portal, which was set up so Albertans could access their vaccine passport.Dang will be sentenced on November 29..“Dang’s disgraceful conduct will be remembered for a very long time, and I am glad he has finally accepted responsibility for his unethical and illegal behaviour,” Rutherford said. .The Alberta NDP told the Western Standard: "Thomas Dang is no longer a member of Caucus."."The leader has been clear she had no part in what occurred. The matter is before the courts so we will not be commenting further," an Alberta NDP spokesperson said.
Former police officer and Chief Government Whip Brad Rutherford says it's time for Rachel Notley to come clean after Edmonton-South MLA Thomas Dang pleaded guilty to vaccine data hacking..Rutherford is calling out Notley to disclose her role in the issue to Albertans..Dang pleaded guilty on Friday to running millions of illegal searches using the personal information of a conservative political opponent, but important questions remain to Rutherford about the role Notley and her senior staff played in Dang’s effort to obtain the private health records of Albertans..“But the evidence continues to show that Notley and her senior staff were involved in this scandal, and we still have no answers on that front," Rutherford said.."In September, the United Conservative caucus released a list of five critical questions that must be answered by Notley. We need those answers now.” .In Sept. 2022, Provincial Court Judge Shelagh Creagh unsealed court records that showed Notley’s office knew Dang conducted 1.78 million illegal health record searches in Sept. 2021. Before that, Notley denied knowing anything about Dang’s hacking activities until his home was raided by RCMP in Dec. 2021. She even appointed him as her “democracy and ethics critic” in Oct. 2021..According to court documents, Dang initially ran tests using his own information. He then used former premier Jason Kenney's birthdate and vaccination dates to test if he could access Kenney's health number..Dang's internet protocol (IP) address was blocked after five attempts but he was able to regain access using a widely available program. .Dang said he wrote an "automated program to test the system." From there he found the record of a person who shared Kenney's birthday and had received a vaccine in the same month as the premier..READ MORE: DANG IT! Data hacking MLA is logging off prior to next Alberta election.In July, the data hacking MLA logged off prior to next Alberta election..Dang withdrew his request to join the NDP caucus and will serve out his term as an independent, and won't seek re-election next year.A privacy commissioner investigation has also been started to determine why the portal was created with flaws leading to possible hacking and access to personal information.The Crown is seeking a $10,000 fine for Dang's data hacking activities, while Dang's defence is asking for under $4,000 "based on legal principle."Dang pleaded guilty to a single offence under the Health Information Act for hacking the portal, which was set up so Albertans could access their vaccine passport.Dang will be sentenced on November 29..“Dang’s disgraceful conduct will be remembered for a very long time, and I am glad he has finally accepted responsibility for his unethical and illegal behaviour,” Rutherford said. .The Alberta NDP told the Western Standard: "Thomas Dang is no longer a member of Caucus."."The leader has been clear she had no part in what occurred. The matter is before the courts so we will not be commenting further," an Alberta NDP spokesperson said.
