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Identity Cards in Canada |
Final Thoughts
At this point it is impossible to tell whether or not Canada will implement a national
identity card. The Canadian public's acceptance of the card will depend largely on whether
or not it is voluntary. While some are open to the idea of a voluntary card to make
international travel easier, there is little support for a card containing biometric
data such as fingerprints that Canadians must carry on their person at all times, making
it a defacto internal passport.
The federal government – or at least the Immigration Minister who launched the debate
– appears to be out of sync with the public on this issue. If Canada makes the identity
card compulsory, they would be the first common law country to do so. Even the United
States has not taken such a bold step. Although Congress is considering legislation
that would see standardized driver’s licenses containing biometric data within five
years, individuals can always choose not to get a driver’s license. Practically this
may be difficult, but the option exists. Requiring all citizens to obtain an identity
card is a different matter entirely.
On the other hand, some might argue that Canada should be commended for opening debate
on the issue. The government is not attempting to “sell” Canadians on the concept of
ID cards by re-labelling them, as the British Government has done with “Entitlement
Cards.” The government is also not attempting to bring national ID cards in through
the back door by attaching them to other documentation – something the United States
has been accused of doing with their plan for biometric driver’s licenses. Speaking
before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, Minister Denis Coderre
stated: “There is an implicit, if not explicit, expectation that governments need to
look at current practices and systems of establishing identity and evaluate their effectiveness.”
Is a national identity card the answer?
Further Reading
“Why Discuss a National
Identity Card?”
Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Statement by George
Radwanski, Privacy Commissioner of Canada, before the House Standing Committee on Citizenship
and Immigration regarding a National Identity Card
“Your Daily Data Trail”
Privacy Commission of Canada
“Database Spied
on Citizens: Security Breaches of Police System Worry Privacy Activists”
“Gummi Bears Defeat Fingerprint
Sensors,”
The Register
“Go Slow on National Identification
Cards”
Professor Ross, University of Notre Dame Law School
Anti-terrorism Act
Department of Justice Canada
Privacy Act
Department of Justice Canada
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