OTTAWA, October 3, 2003 -- The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), announced today that he will host a Forum entitled Biometrics: Implications and Applications for Citizenship and Immigration on October 7 and 8, 2003, in Ottawa."The purpose of the Forum is to raise awareness of the importance of enhancing the integrity of identity documents in today's global environment," said Minister Coderre. "The Forum will explore different approaches to enhancing document integrity, including the possible uses of biometrics."The Forum will bring together some 100 experts, scholars, non-governmental organizations, private-sector associations, and public policy and opinion leaders. They will consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of improving the integrity and security of existing documents or other options such as a national identity card."I want to listen and gather as much knowledge as possible from leading thinkers and stakeholders on this issue" said the Minister. "I specifically want the Forum to address the possible uses of biometrics and questions about the performance and reliability of the technology, civil liberties and privacy concerns, and any management challenges that the use of biometrics could pose."The Minister added, "By following the Forum's proceedings in the media and on the department's Web Site, Canadians will also be able to increase their understanding of the issues involved in enhancing the integrity of identity documents in Canada."Among the speakers at the Forum will be Professor Alan M. Dershowitz, Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Dr. Colin Soutar, Chief Technology Advisor, Canadian Advanced Technology Association, Biometrics Group; Frank Graves, President, EKOS Research Inc.; Jennifer Stoddart, Quebec Privacy Commissioner; and Stephanie Perrin, President, Digital Discretion Company Inc.Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is the lead department on document integrity for the Government of Canada and has a major responsibility for issuing documents used to establish identity or status. It is currently developing a policy on document integrity in a citizenship and immigration context.The Forum will complement the work of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, which is currently examining the issue of a national identity card.CIC will share the results of the Forum with its stakeholders, partners and Canadians. The ideas generated by the Forum will be used to inform CIC's policy thinking on enhancing the integrity of identity documents in Canada.The Forum will be open to the media and Canadians can consult the Forum's web site at (www.cic-forum.ca/english and www.cic-forum.ca/francais) or call the following toll-free numbers (1-800-275-5129 and TTY-1-800-465-7735) for additional information.-30-NOTE TO MEDIA: Media representatives will need to provide credentials in order to receive Forum accreditation. To be accredited, media representatives must provide at least one of the following in English or French: a valid House of Commons media pass a valid ID issued by a national news organization an original dated letter of assignment from their editor/producer on official letterhead.Media registration will begin on October 7, 2003 at 11 a.m. A media advisory provides further details of location and time.The evening speaker, Professor Alan Dershowitz, will speak to the media at the National Press Theatre on October 7 at 4 p.m. The National Press Theatre will admit journalists who have a House of Commons media pass or have already obtained Forum accreditation.For media logistics and interviews with speakers:Pamela Currie (613) 946-0563.For further information:Sarah Bain Press Secretary Office of the Minister (613) 954-1064Simone MacAndrew Media Relations Communications Branch (613) 941-7021BACKGROUNDER Forum on Biometrics: Implications and Applications for Citizenship and Immigration Purpose of the ForumThe objectives of the Forum are to: Explore biometrics as a powerful technology which could meet important future policy objectives; Enhance and expand the existing discussion on technical and social issues related to the use of biometrics to strengthen document integrity and identity verification; Discuss the comparative advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to improving document integrity; Engage in a dialogue on important issues for Canadians prior to any policy implementation. Why CIC is sponsoring this eventCIC is the lead department in the Government of Canada on document integrity and has a major responsibility for issuing documents that are used to establish identity or status. The department issues over 2 million documents each year.Through its mandate CIC admits immigrants, foreign students, visitors and temporary workers to Canada, and issues a range of documents for identity verification, status and eligibility for services in Canada.CIC is continually working to improve its documents and procedures to ensure security and facilitation, including the examination of new technologies such as biometrics, which may assist the department in managing its responsibilities.The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Denis Coderre, has asked the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to study the issue of a national identity card and the way in which biometric identifiers such as fingerprints could be used in such an initiative.BiometricsBiometrics -- the technological capability to verify an individual's identity via unique characteristics such as the fingerprint, face or iris, offer the promise of substantial opportunities and present key challenges.In a post 9-11 world where security has taken on a much greater importance for all nations, the demand for a secure proof of identification has never been more evident. Acts caused by terrorism and increased concern over the theft and fraudulent use of identity documents require that governments consider leading edge technologies with which to verify identity, status and access to entitlements. At the same time, biometrics have the potential to offer benefits to individuals, such as facilitating transactions and providing improved verification of identity. By linking a person's identity to their documents through the use of technologies such as biometrics, it is possible to enhance an individual's security and privacy.There are, however, a number of challenges that must be addressed in thinking about biometrics in the context of citizenship and immigration. Privacy, equity and other civil liberties need to be carefully considered. Legal and governance issues will need to be addressed. Biometrics raises a number of additional concerns, including sovereignty, cultural values, and ethics. In addition to potential technical and social implications, we must also know more about whether the promise of biometrics technology is realizable in real world settings such as airports, border crossings and other high-traffic service access points.Why now? This topic is timely, as many countries are increasingly looking to biometrics technology to enhance document issuance and verification processes; U.S. legislation mandating the implementation of biometrics, such as the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act, may have important implications for both visa-waiver and non visa-waiver nations as of October, 2004; The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recently endorsed biometrics for machine-readable travel documents, such as passports; and The G8 has recently announced that progress on developing biometrics for international travel will be accelerated.Participation and communicationBiometrics: Implications and Applications for Citizenship and Immigration will bring together experts, scholars, non-governmental organizations, private sector associations, public policy and opinion leaders to consider document integrity issues, with a specific focus on the promises and challenges of biometric technology. While Forum participation is by the invitation of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, there will be media access to this event. A dedicated Internet site (www.cic-forum.ca/english)or (www.cic-forum.ca/francais) has been created to convey information about the Forum, biometrics technology, and many related issues. It is important to note that the Forum represents one element of a broader public discussion on these important topics.
