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Conference kaosws::canada

Title:True North Strong & Free
Notice:Introduction in Note 535, For Sale/Wanted in 524
Moderator:POLAR::RICHARDSON
Created:Fri Jun 19 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1040
Total number of notes:13668

946.0. "Ontario Photo & Fingerprint ID!?!" by KAOFS::LOCKYER () Thu Jul 13 1995 13:45

    I suppose this could be put in the existing Ontario government topic,
    but thought it deserved a topic of it's own - I'm sure our fearless
    moderator will move this if appropriate....
    
    Anyway, while on the way to work this AM, I heard a very brief news
    report that the Ontario government is considering issuing all Ontario
    citizens a uniform identification card, complete with a photograph and
    FINGERPRINTS.  The report said Harris (Ontario's new Premiere) hopes
    Ontario can work something out with the Federal government.  So, my
    questions are:
    
    - did I hear the above correctly?
    
    - if yes, what do you think about being photgraphed and fingerprinted? 
    Sounds a little excessive to me?
    
    - how does one become (or cease to be) a CITIZEN of Ontario?  I have 
    documents that say I'm a Canadian citizen, but I wasn't born in Ontario 
    and don't think I ever applied for Ontario citizenship - so I guess I 
    don't have to worry...  Seriously, does anyone know the applicable law?
    
    - what would the provincial government have to work out with the
    federal government?
    
    - how do you reformers and born-again conservatives reconcile this with
    your demands for less government?
    
    - is this retaliation by right-wing conservatives as a result of
    the left-wing liberals making gun registration mandatory?
    
    Perhaps Norm could give Harris a call and find out what's up!
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946.1TROOA::SOLEYFall down, go boomThu Jul 13 1995 14:079
    Fearless? Too *&!^@ busy to pay much attention maybe but fearless?
    
    In order to do this one think they will have to do is dismantle mostly
    the Freedom of Information and Individual Privacy Act that was one of
    the last gasps of the Miller PC's. It says, in essense that when the
    government collects some information about me they have to a) tell me
    what it's for and b) not use it for anything they did not tell me
    about. This means that the coordiantion of information that is being
    discussed is, at this point illegal.
946.2How about tatooed serial #'s?POLAR::ROBINSONPWaiting for the SunThu Jul 13 1995 14:366
    
    Hmmm... maybe it's to be able to tell the difference when/if the
    mass exodus from Quebec occurs, to avoid the "ethnic cleansing"
    if the referendum is successful. 
    
    ...Naaaah!
946.3Un-flipping-believableKAOFS::D_STREETThu Jul 13 1995 15:018
    Don't worry Gary, according to the paper today Mike Harris says:
    
    	"We've got other priorities right now"
    
     didn't exactly say it won't be done now did he ?
    
    
    					Derek.
946.4I Think The Honeymoon Is About To End...KAOFS::LOCKYERThu Jul 13 1995 15:206
    Derek, did the newspaper article specifically talk about ID?  If so,
    did I get the basic facts right?
    
    I'm really hoping I heard wrong - if I heard right, I can't believe
    thye're serious and can't wait for the backlash!  This government could
    easily win the "Least Popular In The Shortest Time" award.
946.5OTOOA::MAJORThu Jul 13 1995 15:595
    What you guys need in Ontario is a Premeir like Jacques Parizeau!!!
    Right Gary?!?! 
    
    Ray.
    
946.6not to worry...TROOA::TRINNEERFri Jul 14 1995 15:0417
    Garry,
    
    I think the ID with fingerprint story you picked up was about a
    proposal to have an ID card for welfare recipients.  The purpose is to
    avoid double dipping.  As welfare is administered by municipalities,
    some people are receiving benefits in more than one municipality, eg in
    both Scarborough and Toronto.  The news report I heard said that an
    estimated 3% of welfare dollars go to double or triple or quadruple 
    dippers.  I don't remember the dollar quoted, but it was significant. 
    The ID card is part of a program being proposed to eliminate this
    fraud.  The card would only be used to receive benefits, much like we
    use bank cards today.  No need for the paranoia - Visa cards are also
    likely to end up with thumb prints. 
    
    So Garry, if I understood this correctly, you won't have to worry about 
    carrying an Ontario citizenship card.
                                     
946.7KAOFS::D_STREETFri Jul 14 1995 15:225
    I saw in the paper Mike Harris is suggesting a single identity card,
    like the one for welfare, with the fingerprint/photo. Although "it is
    not a priority".
    
    							Derek.
946.8CSC32::BROOKThu Jul 27 1995 17:1612
    The fingerprint thing is picked up from the USA ...  TO get a driver's
    license in Colorado, you must give a thumbprint.  I did ... but only
    under protest ... There is a long history of the affiliation  of giving
    fingerprints and criminal activity in the UK and Canada, but in the US
    it seems to go with a general government attitude of "You must be
    guilty of something ... we just haven't caught you yet."
    
    This is a definite infringement on freedom.
    
    Stuart
    
    
946.9Smudge it!!POLAR::ROBINSONPWaiting for the SunThu Jul 27 1995 17:186
    
    re -.1 under protest..
    
    There's hope for you yet Stuart!!
    
    Cheers, Pat
946.10CSC32::BROOKThu Jul 27 1995 17:243
    It was electronic ... can't be smudged!