Manitoba civil servants get ‘ethics’ reminder after Ashley Madison leak

WINNIPEG – Manitoba civil servants have been warned about respecting “values and ethics” in the wake of the Ashley Madison data leak.

A memo to government of Manitoba employees sent August 21 makes note of “recent media coverage regarding questionable use of government email addresses.”

Global News reported last week that 20 Manitoba government email addresses were among the client data from ashleymadison.com exposed by hackers. The website helps arrange extramarital affairs. A similar number of email addresses from Manitoba Hydro, a provincially-owned Crown Corporation, was also on the list.

READ MORE: List grows of official Manitoba email addresses tied to Ashley Madison

In the memo, Civil Service Commissioner C. Lynn Romeo makes no direct reference to Ashley Madison but says, “In a situation where there are alleged breaches of our values and ethics and applicable policies, management and human resources investigate and take appropriate action.”

But a provincial spokesperson wouldn’t say Tuesday if any such action is being taken.

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Manitoba government values and ethics memo

“As public servants, we are expected to use human, financial and technological resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all Manitobans,” the memo says and lists a number of ways to review government policies regarding values and ethics and use of computers.

Those registering at Ashley Madision didn’t have to verify their addresses, so it’s not clear if all the accounts are real. If real, they weren’t necessarily entered by the people who they properly belong to.