The Canadian Labour Congress issued the following news release supporting the Privacy Commissioner's concerns expressed in his 2001-2002 Annual Report to Parliament.

For immediate release
January 30, 2003

Radwanski Shows Courage

OTTAWA - The Canadian Labour Congress commends George Radwanski, Canada's Privacy Commissioner, for his determination and his courage in defence of our freedom to continue to build an open and democratic society. Radwanski's Annual Report to Parliament was tabled in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon and it calls on every Canadian, especially unionized workers, to renew their commitment and their vigilance in defending the democratic ideals we all share.

"Canadians find repulsive the prospect of increased, continuing and hidden surveillance of their lives," says Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti. "They've seen the movies about countries that keep files on their citizens. They don't like them. They don't want that. They won't stand for it."

Georgetti says that Canadians have built a truly remarkable society with a quality of life that has been recognized time and time again by the United Nations and is concerned that over-the-top security measures adopted in reaction to the attacks of September 11, 2001 are putting that quality of life at risk.

"We've built our remarkable country through solidarity," says Georgetti, "by standing with one another on a foundation of tolerance, respect and trust. Measures like the Anti-Terrorism Act and now the CCRA database for profiling everybody who takes a flight are corrosive and only eat away at the solidarity that has made Canada possible."

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 2.5 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together the majority of Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 137 district labour councils. Web site: www.clc-ctc.ca

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Contacts: Jean Wolff, 613-526-7431 and 613-798-6040
Jeff Atkinson, 613-526-7425 and 613-292-1413
communications@clc-ctc.ca