Med students decry release of records
Phillip Gregoire and more than 200 of his classmates at the University of Toronto’s medical school are taking on the cops.
They have all signed a petition demanding Toronto police stop automatically disclosing suicide attempt records in a national police database where the information can be shared on employment background checks and with U.S. border authorities.
“In our first year medical education we learn a lot about stigma and how it impacts the health of our patients,” said Gregoire, 25, who was prompted into action by an ongoing Star investigation into the disclosure of nonconviction records by police across Canada.
“People who have attempted suicide or had a variety of other mental health issues could hesitate when accessing help because it may be a barrier for them travelling to the U.S. or having it on their record when they apply for jobs. We don’t want them to fear accessing emergency services for fear of harming their future. (The Star’s) reporting has motivated a bunch of us to do something.”
The Star’s investigation — which has triggered more than 300 calls and emails — has gathered dozens of examples of innocent Canadians who have had travel, employment, education or volunteer work undermined by police records that include withdrawn charges, unproven allegations, police surveillance notes and mental health calls to 911.
Gregoire and three other medical students met with Ontario’s privacy commissioner, Ann Cavoukian, on Friday following her decision to take legal action against Toronto police for what she called the force’s “indiscriminate” release of suicide attempt records into the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database.
Cavoukian is demanding Toronto police cease the default release of all suicide attempt records and apply far greater discrimination by only sharing such cases that impact on public safety.
Toronto police spokesperson Mark Pugash says the force “fundamentally disagrees” with Cavoukian, adding the collection of mental health information is vital for the protection of officers and citizens. He also says the responsibility of releasing the information to U.S. authorities lies with the RCMP.
“This very marginalized segment of the population — people with mental illness — are, it seems, being systematically treated unfairly,” says Gregoire.
Gregoire and his colleagues plan to get their petition on the desk of Toronto police Chief Bill Blair and those of Toronto city councillors.
“We want to take our story to them and let them know we care about this.”