(Queen’s Park) – MPP Randy Hillier stood in the Legislature today and voted against the McGuinty Government’s Bill 85, The Photo Card Act. Bill 85 proposes an enhanced photo card which contains the holder's name and photograph, a notation to indicate that the holder is a Canadian citizen and other prescribed information about the holder; it also has security and other features that may allow it to be used for travel. A combined photo card is one card that constitutes the holder's enhanced photo card and driver's licence.
“I opposed Bill 85 as it intrudes upon federal jurisdiction as both border security and citizenship are clearly within the federal domain, just as I would oppose the federal government intruding upon provincial jurisdictions,” Hillier noted after his vote. “The Bill’s most basic justification comes down to convenience - convenience of travel and convenience of access now trumps respect for our constitution,” Hillier continued.
“Although, this card is initially voluntary, one would have to be in ‘wonderland’ to believe it will remain voluntary, as the bureaucracy will find the ease and convenience of owning personal information in one database irresistible,” Hillier was quick to assess. “I do not believe the Ministry of Transportation is capable of or best suited to become the ‘Ministry of Identification’.”
Hillier also recognized in his opposition that Bill 85 allows for intrusion into the privacy of individuals. “The Bill allows for expanded intrusions into individual privacy by regulation at a later date, because it does not legislate any limitations upon regulatory amendments,” Hillier noted.
This time last year Hillier introduced the Red Tape Regulatory Review Act that would have eliminated the regulatory mechanism of new legislation without political oversight. With its defeat, legislation like Bill 85 has the ability to institute regulatory expansions that will be beyond the reach or view of the legislature.
“In fact there is no limitation on future personal data collection, other than what the Cabinet deems necessary and furthermore this data can be shared with anyone that cabinet deems appropriate,” Hillier concluded.
