Margaret Atwood reacts to news of CRA leak of her personal data
'I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose' said the Canadian author on security breach
Canadian literary superstar Margaret Atwood has reacted to news that her personal information was among those leaked in a major security breach at the Canada Revenue Agency.
Private details about hundreds of prominent Canadians, including Atwood, was contained in a CRA spreadsheet sent to by CBC News and revealed in an exclusive story Tuesday.
"Letting confidential figures slip that way, is very sloppy," Atwood told CBC hours later at the Writers' Trust Gala in Toronto Tuesday night.
The list outlines what donations of manuscripts, photographs and fine art these Canadians have made to Canadian galleries and museums, and includes their home addresses and the value the taxman attached to the donations for the purpose of claiming a charitable tax break.
"I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose," Atwood said wryly.
Event honoured Atwood's 75th
Atwood was the guest of honour at Tuesday's Writers Trust Gala at the Four Seasons hotel in Toronto. The celebrated author turned 75 on Nov. 18.
Comedian Colin Mochrie emceed the evening, which was also attended by Canadian literary luminaries such as Miriam Toews, Vincent Lam and Ann-Marie MacDonald.
The annual black tie fundraiser brings in over $200,000 each year.
Winners of this year's annual awards, announced Nov. 4th, include Miriam Toews, Ken Babstock and Susan Musgrave.
Atwood co-founded the Writers' Trust of Canada in 1976, along with Pierre Berton, Graeme Gibson, Margaret Laurence, and David Young.
Her most recent short-story collection is Stone Mattress. Earlier this week the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award announced that Atwood's new novel MaddAddam, was one of eleven Canadian books to make the longlist this year.
