As I indicated earlier, we last reviewed this matter in 2002. At the time we were greatly concerned about SIN use. Obviously the federal government uses the SIN to identify program benefit recipients. However, we also know that it is widely used for different purposes by the private sector. We queried the government about the situation and wondered if perhaps it shouldn't amend its policy to make the SIN nothing more than an identification number for federal government programs. The government reiterated its position at the time, that is in 2002, that the SIN was indeed nothing more than an identification number for federal government programs.
Clearly, this is an issue that we will be examining once again. We're hearing, as is Service Canada, that the importance of the SIN is growing. We need to find out whether or not the federal government has changed its policy.
Perhaps that's a question that the committee could put to departmental representatives who will testify after us today. You could ask them if they've examine the whole issue and if they have different opinions as far as the policy is concerned.