The City of Melville, Saskatchewan, population 4,600, has been asked to formally apologize for local gossip that turned into trash talk in a Facebook post..According to Blacklock's Reporter, Saskatchewan Information Commissioner Ronald Kruzeniski said it was evident municipal employees were the source of “coffee row gossip.”.“The Privacy Act establishes that local authorities, which includes the employees of the local authority, can only disclose personal information in their possession or under their control with the consent of the individual,” wrote Kruzeniski. The City of Melville breached the Act, he said..The ruling followed a spirited 2020 municipal election campaign that saw a former City employee run for council. “We the residents of Melville will not be silenced,” the unnamed candidate wrote in one Facebook post. “Change! Change! Change! That’s what we need and that’s what we will get.”.Evidence showed other Facebook users, the relatives of municipal employees, alleged the candidate had been fired by the City. “I get Melville needs some change, but this one is far from the answer,” wrote one resident..The candidate was “let go” by the City, said one post. “Unfortunately the reality is the people of Melville don’t know the facts that this individual was let go from their position at the City that they held for like four months but now apparently figure they can run the city????”.Other Facebook posts said the ex-employee was responsible for incorrect paperwork and bungled the issuance of a local permit. “Rumour has it this was part of the reason they ‘let you go,’” wrote a resident..Commissioner Kruzeniski said the Facebook posts contained such “sensitive details” about municipal business it was obvious that City employees had leaked personal information. “I would not expect anyone who does not work for the City to know detail such as this,” wrote Kruzeniski. “Therefore I find the City disclosed the complainant’s personal information.”.“Information regarding an individual’s performance on the job and departure circumstances from a local authority are considered employment history,” said the Commissioner. The details were clearly personal, he added..Kruzeniski recommended the City of Melville apologize in writing. Council must also “ensure that its staff receive privacy training and sign confidentiality agreements,” he said.
