OTTAWA, Aug. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada is calling on the Harper government to explain how it intends to review and address national security concerns related to New York-based Verizon Communications' entry into the Canadian wireless market. According to a little discussed aspect of the Canada Investment Act, when large foreign companies enter the country the Minister of Industry must evaluate and remedy any potential national security concerns.
"Canadians need to know that their government is reviewing Verizon's potential threat to national security, and what steps the U.S. company will have to take to mitigate any concerns," says CEP President Dave Coles. "In their bid to woo Verizon, we hope the Harper government isn't ignoring its responsibility to do a security review."
Verizon has worked closely with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to collect personal data on millions of its U.S. customers. Verizon has close ties to the U.S. military, including reportedly building a direct connection to a military base in Virginia to transfer communications to U.S. authorities. If asked by U.S. authorities for the personal information of Canadian subscribers, Verizon would likely have to comply under the U.S. Patriot Act and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
"Verizon has been deeply involved in the world's biggest ever spying scandal. Not to fully assess the security and privacy implications of their takeover of Canada's telecommunications would be a complete betrayal of Canadian citizens," says Coles.
"Canadians who boycott Verizon out of fear that their personal information could be delivered to U.S. authorities will not necessarily be able to sleep easy either," says Coles. "The government's mandatory access rule gives Verizon the right to use the major Canadian telecom companies' wireless networks, which currently carry some of the country's most secure and private communications."
"The Industry Minister's security review needs to specifically evaluate what the potential impacts are of Verizon receiving mandatory access to the major players networks," adds Coles. "The Minister needs to take action now in a completely transparent way."
"It's long been accepted that there are privacy and national security concerns with foreign companies controlling Canada's telecommunications sector," says Coles. "When the Harper government discussed lifting foreign ownership restrictions on telecom companies Public Security Canada said that such a move increased national security risks."
SOURCE: COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY AND PAPERWORKERS UNION OF CANADA
DAVE COLES, 613-299-5628
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