Rob Ford's medical record breach prompts call for prosecution

Coun. Rob Ford is shown in Toronto's council chambers on Dec. 2, 2014. (Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO - Ontario's information and privacy commissioner is calling on the attorney general to prosecute two people after former Toronto mayor Rob Ford's medical records were inappropriately accessed.

Privacy commissioner Brian Beamish's office says he has referred two individuals for prosecution relating to the "unauthorized access" of Ford's files at a University Health Network hospital in January.

Ford, who is battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer, has been treated at a number of Toronto hospitals and has been faced with a number of privacy breaches.

Mount Sinai Hospital said in October that two of its staffers who weren't part of Ford's medical team inappropriately viewed his health record, and the hospital said "appropriate action" was taken against the employees.

A spokesman for Beamish says he is not considering referring any other cases for prosecution.

Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur says she received the referral Monday and now an investigation will be done to decide whether or not to lay charges.