Alberta Energy Regulator Hires Investigator To Spy On Landowners

Privacy commissioner Frank Work opened the investigation after it was reported last week that the board had hired a detective to monitor landowners at the Rimbey community hall as they watched the hearings on closed-circuit TV. Public access to the hearings in the community‘s courthouse was restricted in April after a woman took a swing at a lawyer and a man roughed up a security guard. Davis Sheremata, a spokesman for the regulator, said a news release also suggested more violence was possible. But the investigator was never given the authority to spy on people or eavesdrop on privileged conversations, he said. “Our security staff conducted a very full risk assessment and made the decision that it would be wise to contract private security and have them present in the room to observe the proceedings and step in to protect public safety if necessary.‘‘ http://www.oilweek.com/news.asp?ID=9844 [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on June 28, 2007]

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