Separatist group ordered to remove Alberta voter database from website

Albertans' voter information may have been leaked and Elections Alberta is investigating if it was used inappropriately.

A judge has ordered a pro-separatism group to remove from its website a database of information about Alberta voters, which Elections Alberta alleges was obtained illegally.

In a public statement Thursday morning, Elections Alberta announced voter information may have been inappropriately used or distributed by a registered political party that had access to the data.

The agency said it believes a third party is involved, noting its databases or systems were not breached.

According to The Canadian Press, Elections Alberta told a judge in Edmonton Thursday morning that the voter information was legally given to the Republican Party of Alberta.

The Canadian Press is also reporting that Elections Alberta believes the data ended up in the hands of the Centurion Project, which was ordered by the judge to remove a database of private information on Alberta voters from its website.

The Centurion Project website says it is “mobilizing a team of community leaders... to take on the task of winning Alberta’s sovereignty,” and encourages supporters to sign up for an app through which they can record whether or not people they know support Alberta leaving Canada.

David Parker, founder of third-party advertiser Take Back Alberta, which supported Danielle Smith’s bid for leadership of the United Conservative Party, is listed as the Centurion Project’s “architect” on an event listing for a meeting hosted by the group on Wednesday.

Edmonton Police Service confirmed it attended an event organized by the Centurion Project on Wednesday to “assist” Elections Alberta in serving documents.

Parker has not responded to CTV News Edmonton’s request for comment. On social media, he called anyone who claimed there had been a data breach a “liar.”

CTV News Edmonton has also reached out to the registered political parties in Alberta to confirm if they are conducting an internal investigation.

What does the data consist of?

Registered political parties in Alberta receive a list of people who are registered to vote in provincial elections — called the list of electors — under rules set out in the Election Act. They are allowed to use it to communicate with voters.

The list contains the names, address, telephone number, unique identifier number, electoral division and voting area of electors.

It cannot be shared with anyone not given authorization in the legislation. The rules also stipulate how it may be used, how it must be protected, and that any loss of the information is reported to Elections Alberta.

Elections Alberta says a security feature enables it to see who received each specific copy of the list.

“Despite our offices being legislatively prohibited from commenting about investigations we may or may not be conducting, Albertans should know that Elections Alberta takes this matter seriously,” Elections Alberta said in a statement Thursday morning.

“Due to the extremely sensitive nature of the information contained in the list of electors, we believe it is critical for Albertans to be aware. Elections Alberta is taking every possible action to determine if this has taken place and, if so, to protect and recover the information.”

The agency has notified Alberta’s information and privacy commissioner and “other appropriate agencies.”

Who else has access to the list?

MLAs also receive the electors list and are able to use it to carry out their legislative duties, solicit donations for their party and constituency association, and recruit party members.

Candidates receive the list to communicate with electors during a campaign period and solicit donations.

Elections officers have access to the list to do their work.

Violation of the Election Act can result in a $10,000 fine and/or one year in prison.

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