Canada gives up a plan to share a personal database with the United States

Ottawa has quietly renounced a plan that would have allowed the United States to keep a database with personal information on Canadians holding special permits that was designed to increase border security.

The decision follows harsh criticism by federal and provincial commissioners concerning the protection of privacy. Earlier this year, they had stated that such a measure would open the door to misuse of personal data. Starting in June, the American Travel Initiative Law in the Western Hemisphere demands that all travelers have a valid passport or other secure document confirming their citizenship and their identity in order to enter into the United States. Several provinces, including Quebec, have indicated their interest in the “improved” driver’s licenses.

These new documents have a microchip Radio Frequency Identification (RFI) that carries a unique identification number which allows the agent at border services to consult the personal information concerning the holder of the permit on a screen.

According to a document drawn up in January by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), the project was to transfer CDs containing personal data to American border services. According to this document, of which came to the Canadian Presses’ attention because of the law on access to information, the CBSA had to ask the U.S. for assurances that the appropriate verification mechanisms would be installed and that the data would only be used for travel across borders.

The CBSA now said that the database will be kept at its offices in Canada, but according to Jennifer Stoddart at the Office of the Federal Commissioner for the Protection of privacy, it is stressed that the passport will remain the ideal travel document for Canadians.