A NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD:

POINTS ON WHICH THE COMMITTEE INVITES COMMENTS

NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD

In November 2002, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration suggested that it is time for Canadians to engage in a full and informed discussion about the possibility of creating a national identity card.  Minster Coderre further suggested that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration would be an appropriate forum for such a discussion and the Committee has agreed to study this important policy question. 

There are two main types of identity documents used by Canadians.  The first are often referred to as “foundation” documents, and include birth certificates and immigration records.  These primary documents are used to obtain documents of the second type, “entitlement” documents, such as passports, drivers’ licences and social insurance numbers.  The fraudulent use of either type of document poses significant concerns in respect of national security, the integrity of government programs, commercial crime and the ability of Canadians to travel internationally.

The Committee intends to address these issues, as well as concerns about the protection of privacy and the preservation of Canadian values.  Some of the topics that the Committee would like to hear witnesses discuss include:

• What are the existing problems with Canadian identity documents, particularly “foundation” documents such as birth certificates?

• What should be the guiding principles for a national strategy on identity documents?

• Which level(s) of government should be responsible?

• Do we need to create a new national identity card, or can the security features of existing “foundation” documents be strengthened?

• What has been the experience of other countries with national identity cards?

• Should everyone in Canada be required to carry a secure identity document at all times?  Or should the identity document be voluntary for some (e.g. Canadian citizens and permanent residents) and mandatory for others (e.g. refugee claimants, foreign students, or other temporary residents)?

• What information should be imbedded in the cards, who should be able to access that information, should the information be stored centrally, and what safeguards would be required to prevent misuse? 

• What technologies are available for enhancing document security and what issues are raised by the use of particular technologies, such as biometrics?  (Biometric identifiers include fingerprints, iris scans and facial scans.)

• How much would a national identity card cost?  What savings would be realized by introducing such a card (e.g. reduction in crime related to identity theft)?