It’s been more than 10 years since BC Government first contracted Stroh Health Care to operate the province’s Responsible Driver Program. This $930 per-head program is a mandatory course for anyone who receives a driving prohibition after blowing a “FAIL” result on a breathalyzer, or two “WARN” results. Stroh Health Care has had tens of thousands of BC drivers take its course since 2005. As a result, these guys go through a lot of personal information from BC drivers.
For one, all of their staff who deal with RDP program participants will likely know the names of these drivers, know that they had been referred due to impaired driving, in addition to anything else provided to them by BC Government. So it’s a little disturbing that, despite having a button for a “privacy policy” at the bottom of their website, there’s no actual policy anywhere to be found.
So what exactly are Stroh Health Care’s obligations as it relates to the confidential, private information of the tens of thousands of BC drivers that go through their course?
Are there any requirements on protecting personal information?
BC’s Personal Information Protection Act stipulates that organizations are required to “develop and follow policies” to meet the needs of privacy protection laws. Organizations are also supposed to delegate an employee whose job is to make sure privacy laws are followed, and make that person’s name and contact information available to the public. This is also missing from Stroh Health Care’s website.
There are six ways Stroh Health Care can potentially disclose private information.
Between 2011 and 2015, Government records show that 65,000 people took the Responsible Driver Program at Stroh Health Care. This is a huge amount of private information Stroh has custody and care of. And we, as British Columbian residents, really have no idea what they do with all that information.
What does Stroh’s contract agreement with BC Government say?
The only place we identified that gives us a glimpse into what Stroh can and can’t do with their information is in the draft copy of the contract BC Government signed with Stroh Health Care. This draft copy is publicly available for anyone who wants to see it. However, the final copy that was signed – and any potential changes that were made – has not been made publicly available.
In any case, the draft contract suggests that there are six ways Stroh Health Care can potentially disclose private information:
- as required to perform Stroh’s obligations under its agreement with BC Government or to comply with applicable laws
- if it is information generally known to the public
- if it is information in any Incorporated Material
- if disclosed pursuant to agreed privacy obligations or according to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- if the disclosure is approved by BC Government
- if ordered to disclose information by a Canadian court
In our view, there are enough ways that Stroh Health Care could be releasing highly confidential and personal information that they ought to publicly declare their responsibilities to protect this information. They’ve had 10 years to do it. They’ve certainly collected enough money that they can afford to put together a privacy policy. According to our estimates, Stroh Health Care collects about $500 from each program participant. With 65,000 people taking their program over five years, that’s potentially $32.5 million in revenue.
Glad you finally wrote about this. Is it legal for them to be doing this? I guess it must be. Yeah that privacy policy button is pretty funny. It’s like their privacy policy is private.
Great blog entry Lots of good questions addressed in the blog. The privacy issues are one of my concerns . Thanks for addressing this problem.
We wrote to Motor Vehicles Branch many years ago to ask about who actually owns Stohl, (i.e. what their personal relation is to someone in govt. who GAVE them this lucrative contract), qualifications for them to teach these courses, justification for their outrageous charges. Of course, we received no real response….just blah, blah, about protecting residents from drunk drivers.
I have taught for 40 years – I still don’t get $1000 per day! 32 Million in 5 years? I have also heard if they do not like the person taking the course, they say you failed and you have to re-take it!!
I wish the lawyers would open a case about unconstitutional contracting by BC Government. How about the company Guardian Interlock Services, which has exclusive contract for the interlocks also mandatory – who pays the govt. admin fees in the millions? payback or what?
Exactly what I was wondering. It’s a cushy contract, and definitely a cash grab
Someone needs to look into this.. A provincially funded agency, flat out stealing from the ones paying taxes to the province.
There are so many problems with the way this system is laid out someone needs to look into
Stroh course claims its intention is to “separate drinking from driving.” Having gone through the course, nothing could be further from the truth. There is a definite agenda behind this course, and the teacher will get down right pissy should this fact be questioned.
Many things are taught that are wrong, as their agenda is clear.
Obviously people cannot speak up, as I’m sure the teacher will send a less than stellar report to Motor Vehicle Branch.
What a political crock and payback system of corruption!! This company makes millions for a useless course which doesn’t address any of the underlying issues. Just another way for money to exchange hands between the government officials and private business – at the expense of the ‘accused’. This whole system needs to be torn down and reviewed. Nothing in the IRP program is legit. You have one week (or 5 working days) to evaluate all of your legal options or rights before prosecution? Christ – even a parking ticket has more time for the defendant to respond and engage in proper representation. I hope a class action suit arises and Stroh loses thier multiple million dollar a year contract for lying down with corrupt politicians.
What information can they collect other then your driving record?
Elaine Stewart.
I felt totally violated and intimidated by my instructor at Stroh. He was flat out a bully, who relished the fact that he was above the law. There does not appear to be any ‘checks and balances’ to this institution. All very murky Police State, Banana Republic, type stuff! Very frightening experience for anyone who mistakenly believes that they are living in a Democracy. I think terrorists, and violent criminals might be afforded more rights and respect, than that extended to victim’s of Stroh!
We’ve heard that from a number of people. By pricing the course under $1000 they get to avoid a lot of regulation and so they can get away with things you never would see in a school.
Noteworthy, the government makes money on each course.
We have been treated like Elaine as I am sure many others are as well, we have been bullied by every person we have spoken to to try and get links to do the course during covid, we were not sent links, they did not answer calls as we were to do if we didn’t receive the link, they made us pay another $300 in order to be resubmitted in class because we missed it due to no link so then they put us on a 12 week waiting list after we paid the fee we didn’t deserve to pay. They have dragged us back and forth with no response to emails or phone calls for over 4 months and now thanks to them because of that my son will now have his licence suspended and with that will probably come loss of job as he will have no way to get there, he has tried his hardest to comply with doing this course but has been Sabotaged
by the people who work here ,these guys need to be investigated on how they treat people, they are 100% cash grab and bullies, I have asked for the manager or someone in charge multiple times and they will not give out the information, please who can help those who have to deal with these horrible people? Something needs to be done about these people.
I’m currently taking this course. Is there any advice on how I could answer there questions. Without giving personal information
Thanks
Nope. They’re gathering your information. It’s a concern.
i read on the American ignition interlock program? that they only charge their client’s $2.00 / day and when i spoke to them how much our Government charges the client’s in BC for all the Responsible Drivers Program and interlock program and reinstatement licenses and signs test these guys laughed and said are these people that poor that they have to steal from the disabled, and people who have an illness. i cried and i said i was one of them.
This “business” is an extortion racket. +$50 because I missed their phone call after already paying $930 for the course. Cop noticed I didn’t have my N on IN MY DRIVEWAY and wanted to breathalyze. I was offended and told him I don’t give bodily samples out for no reason, I don’t care if they’re wearing a tactical vest or not, so here I am, paying my extortion fees for saying no to a police officer. Never was charged with anything. Got my car towed right from my driveway. These people are criminals.
This is down right terrifying! I just registered and paid the $930 extortion fee, if I had of found this first I probably would have given my notice at work and saved the money to relocate to another country!
Reading all this confirmed what I believe about this about this sham of a “course”. It’s flat out money laundering. The entire IRP program is so flawed legally. If anyone can tell me what to expect that would be appreciated. I just registered for this money laundering racket.
I literally thought this drivers course sounded like a scam from an Indian call center when I first heard about it. And it’s true alcoholics need support for their addiction not fines and punishment. As a tow truck driver who deals with car accidents alot my heart still goes out to the victims who have to go through this Stroh course.
I have finished the course and no email no letter nothing just sitting around waiting not getting any answers from anyone be prepared for a long wait after you finish the course!