SUPPORT FOR BIOMETRICS TO COUNTER IDENTITY FRAUD REMAINS STRONG AMONG CANADIANS

News Release

OTTAWA, October 7, 2003 -- Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) today released the results of the Department's latest poll on document integrity and biometrics. The results remain consistent with previous polls and show even stronger support for the use of biometrics to improve document security and reduce identity fraud."These results show that Canadians are concerned about the fraudulent use of identity documents and are open to innovative solutions to improve document integrity," said CIC Minister Denis Coderre. "This strong support by Canadians gives us a firm basis for our discussion of the potential and challenges of the emerging technology of biometrics."The latest public opinion tracking survey conducted by POLLARA in the first week of September 2003 is part of CIC's ongoing research to help the Department develop a better understanding of Canadian attitudes toward the issues of document integrity, national identity cards and the use of biometrics by governments.The September survey shows that three-quarters of Canadians agree with the argument that using biometrics in identity documents will make it harder for illegal migrants to use fraudulent identity documents and will lessen the abuse of government programs. The latest results, however, continue to show little awareness of biometrics, although after listening to a definition, more than half the respondents recall having heard of or read about biometrics.CIC plans to further this understanding with a forum in October that will bring together experts, scholars, non-governmental organizations and public policy and opinion leaders to learn more about current advances in biometric technology and to consider some of its challenges.Minister Coderre has also asked the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to study the issues related to a national identity card."This research shows us that we must continue to inform Canadians on biometrics and to seek their feedback," said Minister Coderre. "We know that Canadians are interested in these complex issues. The insights we'll gain at the forum and from the Standing Committee report, together with this research, will help inform policy decisions and allow us to provide Canadians with greater knowledge and understanding."For more information on CIC's forum on Biometrics: Implications and Applications for Citizenship and Immigration, see the Web site www.cic-forum.ca/english.-30-For further information:Sarah BainPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister(613) 954-1064Simone MacAndrewMedia RelationsCommunications Branch(613) 941-7021TRACKING PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF BIOMETRICS>>> available in Acrobat PDF format [size: 100 K]

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2016-12-15

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SUPPORT FOR BIOMETRICS TO COUNTER IDENTITY FRAUD REMAINS STRONG AMONG CANADIANS

News Release

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