SAANICHNEWS COMMUNITY
ENTERTAINMENT
Connected to More®
Jump in, water’s fine!
Catch a rising star
Tests show that the Gorge is clean bodes well for reviving swimming in the waterway. Page A5
With a voice that cuts deep, Sarah Vardy has a passion for the beauty and melodrama of opera. Page A15
Friday, July 27, 2012
L
O
Gray Rothnie
250 744 7034
www.graymatters.ca
Check us out on Twitter and Facebook and watch for breaking news at WWW.SAANICHNEWS.COM
N
D
O
First responder protection law clashes with privacy rights
N
Bill not useful, says privacy watchdog
GAMES KICKOFF
Kyle Slavin News staff
The B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner is slamming a law aimed at ensuring that first responders have more peace of mind for their health and safety. Elizabeth Denham says the Emergency Intervention Disclosure Act, has a “serious impact on the privacy rights of individuals.” Bill 39, which was passed in May, allows police officers, firefighters and paramedics to seek a court order to access someone else’s medical records if the first responder has come into contact with bodily fluids. “A lot of members in the course of their duty are bitten, stuck with a hypodermic needle, they get into an altercation and there’s an exchange of blood – you yourself may be cut or the suspect may be bleeding,” said Saanich police chief Mike Chadwick. “It’s going to be for those types of situations where … you don’t know whether they have a communicable disease like HIV, or hep C or hep B.” Chadwick acknowledged that in instances where a first responder contacts bodily fluid, the other individual typically co-operates and provides relevant medical information. Bill 39 is to access the medical records of those who don’t co-operate.
Today marks the opening day of the Summer Games in London, England. More than a dozen homegrown athletes, plus many who train here, are vying for Olympic glory. Parents of past and current Olympians talk about the emotional highs and lows of watching their children in world-level competition. Page A3 In our final preGames profile, Simon Whitfield considers what will be his last chance for another Olympic triathlon medal. Page A4 Unlike during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, fans in Greater Victoria have many home-grown athletes to cheer for in London. Page A19
Triathlete Simon Whitfield is seeking his last Olympic gold medal, this time in London on Aug. 7.
PLEASE SEE: Law to protect, Page A6
Photo by Larry Rosa
OPEN HOUSE SAT 1:00 TO 3:00
Immaculate Broadmead Executive Executive Saanich Townhome MLS#309185
RE/MAX Camosun
250.744.3301
Victoria’s Referred Realtors
MLS#312549
Cedar Hill Links Townhome #2 - 1286 Tolmie Ave. MLS#308917
www.crozierandmarchant.com