The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) installed microphones at the Macdonald-Cartier Airport to further screen travellers in a plan Public Safety Minister Vic Toews defended Monday as a way to prevent smuggling. Toews assured critics Canadians’ privacy would be respected. No conversations had been recorded, according to reports.

On Tuesday, a representative for Toews’ office confirmed the audio monitoring plan has been halted until the federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has time to review the details.

“We have heard concerns from Canadians regarding the privacy impact of this practice … Minister Toews has directed the CBSA to halt audio monitoring until a Privacy Impact Assessment can be submitted, and recommendations from the Privacy Commissioner can be reviewed by the Government,” Julie Carmichael said in a statement.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) installed microphones at the Macdonald-Cartier Airport to further screen travellers in a plan Public Safety Minister Vic Toews defended Monday as a way to prevent smuggling. Toews assured critics Canadians’ privacy would be respected. No conversations had been recorded, according to reports.

On Tuesday, a representative for Toews’ office confirmed the audio monitoring plan has been halted until the federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has time to review the details.

“We have heard concerns from Canadians regarding the privacy impact of this practice … Minister Toews has directed the CBSA to halt audio monitoring until a Privacy Impact Assessment can be submitted, and recommendations from the Privacy Commissioner can be reviewed by the Government,” Julie Carmichael said in a statement.

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