Two midwestern Ontario MPs are speaking out against plans by Statistics Canada to force banks to turn over Canadians' financial records.
Statistics Canada is compelling banks to release financial details and has already scooped up 15 years worth of credit rating information. Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien is launching an investigation into Statistics Canada as a result of this proposal.
Huron Bruce MP Ben Lobb condemned the plan, calling it a disturbing and unprecedented violation of the private lives of individual Canadians.
”Banks are investing tens of millions of dollars to protect Canadians’ private financial data. Statistics Canada and the liberal government are undermining those protections without Canadians’ knowledge or consent,” said Lobb.
Bruce Grey Owen Sound MP Larry Miller is sponsoring an e-petition calling on the government to stop the collection of Canadians’ personal financial data.
"No matter your party affiliation, this issue should concern each and every one of us," said Miller. "This government is going after your private financial information including account balances, mortgage payments, transfers and more. The fact that the prime minister is defending this type of information collection without the consent of individuals is quite frankly shameful."
Miller's e-petition asks the government to cease the collection of private data of about 500,000 Canadians without their consent.
Local constituent Colleen Fenton worked to get the MP to publish the petition, which can be signed until Nov. 9.
