RCMP lay non-criminal charge against Alberta MLA Thomas Dang
An Edmonton MLA who admitted he used the premier's birth date to "hack" Alberta's COVID-19 records system has been charged under the province's Health Information Act.
Thomas Dang, who represents Edmonton-South, resigned from the NDP caucus in December when RCMP first announced the investigation.
Dang faces a non-criminal charge "for illegally attempting to access private information contained in the Alberta Health vaccine portal," RCMP spokesperson Fraser Logan said in a news release.
Dang, 27, has been issued a summons and is scheduled to appear in Edmonton Provincial Court on July 27.
"If convicted, an individual who contravenes this section can be fined up to a maximum of $200,000 under the act," Logan wrote.
"(Dang) has been notified through his lawyer that no criminal charges will be laid and is looking forward to a final resolution to this matter. Until the scheduled hearing, he has no further comment,” Dang's spokesperson Leah Ward told CTV News Edmonton after the charge was announced.
Last Friday, Dang asked to rejoin the NDP and said he has been working with RCMP and crown prosecutors "for months." He said he expects an "administrative fine."
Dang has said he was attempting to show "vulnerabilities" on the province's website and claimed he "immediately" notified Alberta Health when he found there was a problem.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley repeated Friday that Dang's request to rejoin the party is still being considered.
With files from CTV News Edmomnton's Alex Antoneshyn and Adam Lachacz
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it.

WATCH LIVE @ 9 | Officials to reveal plan meant to stabilize Ontario's health-care system
The Ontario government is set to announce plans to stabilize the health-care system Thursday as hospitals across the province grapple with ongoing staffing shortages.
Canada-wide shortage of liquid Children's Tylenol now also impacting chewables
A nationwide shortage of liquid Children’s Tylenol is also impacting generic chewables, with Quebec-based Laboratoire Riva reporting a shortage due to rising demand.
Children's remains found in suitcases bought by family at auction, New Zealand police say
New Zealand police have launched a homicide investigation after the remains of two children were found in suitcases bought by a family at an online auction, police said Thursday.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy hosts talks with UN chief, Turkey leader
As a potential power broker, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will use his first visit to Ukraine since the war started nearly six months ago to seek ways to expand the export of grain from Europe's breadbasket to the world's needy. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will use his visit to focus on containing the volatile situation at a Russian-occupied nuclear power plant.
'The childhood place to be': Zellers' return sparks fond memories among Canadians eager for its comeback
Canadians are recalling their fondest memories of shopping at Zellers as plans for its return are announced nearly a decade since its doors closed.
Japan wants young people to drink more alcohol. It's just not sure how to convince them
The Japanese government has been hit in the pocket by an unusual problem -- its young people aren't drinking enough.
Discovery of 'weak spot' in COVID-19 variants could lead to better treatment options
A discovery by a team of B.C. researchers may lead to improved COVID-19 treatment options that are effective against several variants of the disease.
80 years after Dieppe, postcards share stories of soldiers who died in deadly raid
A postcard campaign is highlighting the lives of soldiers who were killed during the Dieppe Raid ahead of the disastrous operation's 80th anniversary.