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Protection of identity a right of Canadians.

Article Excerpt
Implementing of a Canadian Identification card is seen as increasing privacy and security, not depleting it. It would be an effective tool to prevent terrorism, and ease travelling security issues. One hundred countries around the world already have ID cards, with no negative consequences to speak of. The possession of an ID card, using biometrics, would protect a person's most valuable possession: their identity. Speech in the House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, February 13, 2003.

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The time has come to look at ourselves and to talk about fundamental issues to define the Canadian way, to take a stand and to protect our way. Today I am not only a minister, I am a Canadian citizen who fears what is going on in the field internationally and domestically. I believe that the world has changed.

If the debate today were based only on innuendo and fearmongering, the same people in the past probably would have believed that the world was flat. The time has come to really protect our way.

This is not about attacking privacy. It is about protecting it.

Last week, I explained to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration why I believe the issue of a national ID card is worthy of public debate. I told the committee that I am eager to know what Canadians from all fields, experts and non-experts alike, have to say about this concept.

I am happy that the committee thought the issue deserves serious, thoughtful discussion. By seeking out the facts across the country during their current consultations, they will surely help us distinguish reality from myth.

There are some who have publicly railed against a national ID card without having listened to all the arguments. They are closing the door on democracy.

It is not about a card; it is about finally having an identity policy in our country. I hear people talk all the time about big brother and soon. They should look at the banks, the social insurance numbers and all the databases that exist. They should look at the insurance companies, the Internet and the computers. We are everywhere. That is why we need to have a real debate among ourselves on how we can protect our identity and our Canadian way.

When I hear the Privacy Commissioner say that he is against...

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