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Sorenson calls out Federal Government on allowing banking access

“At no time is it right nor is there ever any justification for StatsCan demanding banks turn over customers’ data,” said Sorenson. 

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On Oct. 26 Global News broke the story that Statistics Canada would be obtaining Canadians detailed banking information, with the permission of the Liberal Government.
MP for Battle River-Crowfoot Kevin Sorenson was quick to denounce the move, expressing grave concerns about StatsCan having access to Canadians sensitive and confidential banking information.
“At no time is it right nor is there ever any justification for StatsCan demanding banks turn over customers’ data,” said Sorenson.
“If the government is not willing to stop StatsCan from so destructively invading Canadians’ privacy, to protect their customers, banks should refuse the request.”
The Conservative Party was quick to challenge the Liberal Government during Question Period this week on why they would allow StatsCan to acquire baking information without Canadians consent.
During the Oct. 29 Question Period Trudeau noted that he understood that “StatsCan is actively engaging with the Privacy Commissioners office on the project and is working with them to ensure Canadians banking information remains protected and private.”
Trudeau noted that with the cancelation of the long-form census it led to an absence of data and “more policy based on ideology and less policy based on evidence.”
“High quality and timely data are critical to ensuring government programs remain relevant and effective for Canadians,” he noted.
The Conservatives pushback seems to have raised the desired impact as Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has launched an investigation to question StatsCan on their plan to force banks to provide banking records that allow them to track how and where Canadians spend their money.
“While the Prime Minister deflects any accountability or concern for Canadians, many of my constituents are up in arms and as more of them learn about this fiasco, the more emails, letters and phone calls I will receive,” stated Sorenson.
Sorenson received an email on Nov. 1 from one constituent that said, “I am appalled that the Liberals think this is a good idea.”
“In fact, this is a terrible idea and I am totally against it, especially given Canadians will not even be made aware when their banking information is accessed,” the writer added.
“In my view, this proposal is so preposterous; it defies logic on every level. Furthermore, it’s a serious threat to the privacy of our information, especially, given StatsCan has been hacked in the past.”
Sorenson vowed that he would not only do his best to stall the collection of the information, but would hold the Liberal government to account of any breach in the protection of Canadian’s private information.
jirwin@postmedia.com

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