Information & Ethics Committee on May 15th, 2007

Evidence of meeting #47 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was problem.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Identity Theft

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Philippa Lawson Executive Director, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic

John Lawford Counsel, Canadian Consumer Initiative

10:50 a.m.

Executive Director, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic

Philippa Lawson

Yes. This is to make it easier for victims. Right now, victims have to deal with many different institutions, and each institution has its own forms and requirements for authentication and proof that there was in fact fraudulent use of their information. It's an incredible nightmare and a huge task for the poor souls.

10:50 a.m.

Conservative

David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON

How about an affidavit? You can take a fraudulent affidavit.

10:50 a.m.

Executive Director, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic

Philippa Lawson

Yes, that's part of the problem. They are treated as suspects.

10:50 a.m.

Conservative

David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON

I just wanted to understand the form. If you're going to go to the trouble of defrauding someone, a fraudulent affidavit is a piece of cake.

10:50 a.m.

Executive Director, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic

Philippa Lawson

Yes, but we're also talking about making things easier for victims. There are ways that this can be done.

10:50 a.m.

Conservative

David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON

Thank you.

10:50 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel

Okay. Thank you very much.

I want to thank our witnesses for their expertise and their viewpoints and their recommendations. We'll look forward to Mr. Lawford, I believe, getting back to us on the Federal Trade Commission, if he can.

I'll adjourn the meeting, then, until 9 a.m. on Thursday, at which time we will deal with the subcommittee on agenda and procedure's first report.

10:50 a.m.

Conservative

Mike Wallace Conservative Burlington, ON

Who's adjourning the meeting?

10:50 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel

I am.

I'm sorry, Mr. Martin, did you have your hand up? I didn't see you.

10:50 a.m.

NDP

Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

You just announced that on Thursday we will deal with the subcommittee's recommendations to the main committee.

10:50 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel

Correct. That is the first item of business. And we have Mr. Jeff Esau confirmed as a witness should the committee decide to proceed.

The meeting is adjourned.