PSA

National public forum on “enhanced” drivers licences, privacy and state surveillance under the new Canada-U.S. border regime

March 24, 2009 from 9:00 to 12:00
Ottawa Library Auditorium, 120 Metcalfe Street

The aim of this public forum is to increase the awareness of policy makers, Parliamentarians, the media, and the public regarding the concerns associated with the introduction of a new Enhanced Driver’s Licence in most Canadian provinces. This new citizenship identity document which has been primarily driven by the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), will include radio-frequency identification (RFID) and biometric capabilities, raising a host of potential privacy and civil liberties issues. The Assistant Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Director of policy at the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario will participate, as well as Canadian and U.S. civil society experts. University of Toronto researchers will also demonstrate the capabilities of RFID and biometric technology used in BC’s and other provinces EDLs.

This forum is organized by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the Consumers Council of Canada, the Council of Canadians, the Information Policy Research Program of the Faculty of Information – University of Toronto and the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.

PROGRAM

Presenter biographies

9:15 – 9:30 AM

Welcome and Introductions: Roch Tassé, National coordinator, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group

9:30 – 9:45 AM:

Demonstration of the capabilities of RFID (EPC Gen 2) and biometric technology used in BC and other EDLs

Prof. Andrew Clement and researchers at the Information Policy Research Program, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto

9:45 – 10:30 AM

First panel – Enhanced Driver’s Licences, RFID and biometrics: What privacy rights for Canadians?

This session will examine the legal framework and privacy implications of the introduction of EDLs, a national ID card, RFIDs and biometrics from a national perspective.

Chantal Bernier, Assistant Privacy Commissioner of Canada with primary responsibility for the Privacy Act

Michelle Chibba, Director of Policy at the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario
Questions/discussion

10:30 – 10:45 AM – Break

10:45 – 11:45 PM

Session 2 – Enhanced Driver’s Licences: a national ID card driven by the SPP?

The panel will focus on the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), the introduction of a national ID card, the impact on the civil liberties and privacy rights of Canadians, and a first-hand look at the Real ID program in the U.S.

Christopher Calabrese, Counsel to the American Civil Liberties Union’s Technology and Liberty Program
Stuart Trew, regional organizer Ontario/Québec, Council of Canadians

Graeme Norton, Director of the Public Security Project of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association

Dominique Peschard, president Ligue des droits et libertés (Québec)

Questions/discussion

11:45-12:00 PM

Concluding remarks: Roch Tassé