The plan by Statistics Canada to require the big banks and other financial institutions to provide it with name-specific information about how some 500,000 Canadians spend their money has inspired a national petition to stop such snooping. A petition started in Calgary has gathered about 9,000 names in about 24 hours. The scheme came to light about a week ago through the digging of Global News. Statistics Canada has said that the process, while very detailed in the collection process, will not reveal any names or other personal information when the data is released. As might be expected, the reason for this extraordinary use of banking information is said to be entirely for your own good. The data will be used to see where and how Canadians spend (and possibly get) their money permitting better economic planning. Or something like that.
- Why StatsCan wants Canadians’ personal banking information
- Statscan willing to delay launch of plan to obtain personal banking records but insists it’s ultimately necessary
