The Fraser Valley Métis Association (FVMA) has been actively addressing the serious privacy breach discovered earlier this year. We want to keep our community informed about the actions taken to safeguard personal information and maintain trust.
In response to this breach, FVMA has been collaborating with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC). We provided the OIPC with the same detailed documentation submitted to the MNBC Senate as part of our efforts to resolve the situation transparently. Below is a letter from the OIPC outlining their findings, which recognize the thorough steps taken by FVMA volunteers to mitigate the impact of this incident.
Incident Summary:
Former board members wrongfully accessed sensitive banking information for 154 members of our chartered community, including Youth and vulnerable individuals who are among our most protected and valued members.
This information is being used to harm the reputation of FVMA leadership volunteers through misinformation and defamation. The breach, discovered in April 2024, occurred due to human error at FVMA’s financial institution, which failed to revoke access credentials after the individual’s departure from the board (see bank’s acknowledgement of investigation and findings HERE).
Despite the FVMA’s immediate actions to secure affected data, the former board members are retaining and misusing this information, twisting it into slanderous allegations against selected individuals. This is akin to someone breaking into a home, stealing valuables, and then falsely accusing the homeowner of theft. These malicious actions have not only harmed individuals but also sought to undermine the integrity of our association.
FVMA Actions and Future Commitments:
- Collaborated with law enforcement to investigate and address unauthorized use of information.
- Notified affected individuals and provided resources, including credit monitoring through Envision Financial.
- Strengthened financial and information security measures to prevent future breaches.
FVMA remains committed to transparency and accountability. We will continue working to resolve this matter, ensuring justice for those affected and reinforcing safeguards to protect our community.
For full details, please read the attached OIPC findings letter below.
If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
Maarsii / Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we navigate this challenging time.
— Fraser Valley Métis Association
