Moderated by:
Bob Carty
CBC radio producer and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE)

Program:
6:45 - Welcome & Presentations
8:00 - Break (drinks and snacks)
8:30 - Q&A & Discussion

Welcome

to the Archive of the

Biometric ID Documents Forum

We have been hearing a lot recently about the need for Canadian and newcomers to carry new 'biometric' identity documents. The possibilities the Canadian government has mentioned include the 'e-passport', a special US border crossing card, and biometric visas, and Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, has even indicated that a national ID card are inevitable.

Unfortunately, very little information is available about these proposals and public debate has been absent. What will these changes mean for us? What are the costs? The benefits? Will the technology work? What is driving these initiatives? Are there risks to our civil liberties? What are the options?

On this site you can find background information and exchange views in the FAQ and Online Forum Discussion sections.

On June 15, 2006 we held a public forum at the Faculty of Information Studies to hear the positions of experts, to raise questions, and to enable varied voices to be heard. You can view the video record of the event at Webcast.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Home | Online Forum | FAQ | Webcast | Contacts

This event was sponsored by the Faculty of Information Studies,  University of Toronto with a grant
from the Stepping UP Academic Initiatives Fund, and by the SSHRC-funded
Information Policy Research Program's Digital Identity Construction project.