Canadian Privacy Commissioner Expresses Privacy Concerns Over Bill C-17

On November 1, 2002, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada released a statement expressing his concerns over the intrusion into privacy rights by a provision of the federal Government's Bill C-17 (Public Safety Act 2002). Section 4.82 of the Bill would provide the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with access to personal information obtained by airlines about Canadian air travellers for the purpose of anti-terrorist "transportation security" and "national security" screening. The Commissioner was concerned that this provision would allow the RCMP to use information obtained to seek out those wanted on warrants for Criminal Code offences that were not related to terrorism, transportation security or national security. The Commissioner cautioned that this would set a privacy-invasive precedent of effectively requiring compulsory self-identification to police. To view the Commissioner's statement, visit: http://www.privcom.gc.ca/media/nr-c/02_05_b_021101_e.asp For a copy of Bill C-17, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?C1C862282