2026-03-03 - Premature destruction of former client records (Nova Scotia)
VON Canada is providing this notice to inform former clients of an incident involving the premature secure destruction of certain client records in Nova Scotia.
What happened?
Between June and October 2025, some former client paper records were securely destroyed by our records management service provider. This occurred because of incorrect instruction provided to our service provider to destroy these records. As a result, some records were destroyed earlier than permitted under applicable record retention schedules.
The records were securely destroyed and there is no unauthorized access or disclosure of these records. This notice is posted on our website so that our clients are aware in the event that they seek further care from VON Canada or access to their previous records.
Who may be affected?
This incident affects former VON-Nova Scotia clients who were discharged from VON care up to and including December 2023.
What information was involved?
The destroyed records were former client charts. Depending on the individual file, charts may have included information such as a client’s name and contact details, date of birth, and clinical/service information recorded during the period of care (e.g., assessments, care plans, service notes, and related documentation).
VON can confirm that none of these destroyed records were improperly accessed, stolen, or disclosed. The issue is that records were prematurely destroyed and are no longer available.
What we are doing:
VON is investigating the incident and reviewing our records retention and vendor instruction processes to prevent a recurrence.
How you can obtain information or access records:
Because the records were destroyed, VON may not be able to provide copies of impacted former client charts in response to an access request. If you submit a request, we will confirm what information (if any) is available.
Who to contact:
If you have questions about this notice or would like to make an access request, please contact:
Privacy.Officer@von.ca
VON Canada
You also have the right to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia at:
P.O. Box 181
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
Tel: (902) 424-4684
Toll Free: 1-866-243-1564 (within NS)
Fax: (902) 424-8303
Email: oipcns@novascotia.ca
Website of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nova Scotia
