May calls for review of systems after breach

Elizabeth May says the Green Party will investigate and conduct a “root-to-branch review” of all of its data-retention systems after member information was mistakenly posted online.

“We take this very seriously,” the Green Party leader said. “We will be ensuring it’s not possible to take place again.”

Speaking to reporters in Fredericton, May said she does not know how the security breach happened but added the information, including names and addresses of donors, had been available online through Elections Canada before it was mistakenly posted on the party’s website.

While the party stressed the information wasn’t anything that can’t be found on Elections Canada, May said the breach was unintentional and it wasn’t meant to be posted on the party’s website.

Elections Canada’s website shows how much individual donors give to aregistered political party as well as their names and addresses.

May says the Green Party will seek to regain trust by taking responsibility for the breach and will be contacting those affected.

The party says its internal investigation into the information being posted will also explore whether any other mistakes were made, with the goal of them not recurring.

May is trying to rebuild a party that has experienced internal struggles, poor fundraising and weak electoral results in recent years.