Canada Muses on National ID Cards

The Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day, said in a press interview published on February 22 that the implementation of some form of national identification card for Canadians is inevitable. The ID cards may contain biometric data or other technological features which would uniquely identify an individual. They would be used instead of a passport at the border, with the twin goal of letting law abiding citizens pass though quickly and keeping out those who pose a security threat. The last ID card proposal arose in 2003, but was rejected as prohibitively expensive. However, the UK House of Commons recently adopted the idea, although their ID cards are not yet mandatory for everyone. Also, the US apparently has raised the issue in discussions with Day over security, so it would appear increasingly likely that Canada will face increased pressure internationally to adopt more stringent personal identification and security measures. Critics of the ID cards suggest that the cards are both ineffective in combating terrorism and represent a violation of civil liberties. For recent news articles, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?W258138BC http://www.guardian.co.uk/idcards/story/0,,1709246,00.html For the full text of the UK legislation, the Identity Cards Bill (Bill 9-EN), see: http://makeashorterlink.com/?X178258BC For a wealth of material on national identity cards, visit the site of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPC) at the University of Ottawa: http://www.cippic.ca/en/faqs-resources/national-id-cards/ Summary by: James Kosa