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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          December 5, 2002

OTTAWA - On January 1, 2003, the federal firearms registry will be put in private hands, raising grave concerns about privacy and security, warns the Union of Solicitor General Employees (USGE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

"When the Canadian Firearms Program was established, the Department of Justice assured Canadians that any information they provided would remain private and be completely secure," says USGE National President Lynn Ray.

As a part of a restructuring plan, the Department of Justice Canadian Firearms Program is turning over the operation of the Central Processing Site of the Canadian Firearms Program in Miramichi to Business Data Processing (BDP), an Ontario-based firm. BDP will now be responsible for administering Firearms Program’s business operations and call centre.

"Canadians provide very sensitive information when applying for the licensing and registering of firearms," says Ray. "Applications include a complete list of a person’s firearms and where they are located. Do Canadians really want that information in private hands?"

"The current employees are well versed in the Canadian Firearms Legislation and they provide accurate assistance to business and individuals. Privacy and security have not been an issue. However, in spite of their training and experience, the government has made no provision for BDP to take on these workers."

"BDP plans to hire staff at half the salaries of current workers at the Central Processing Site in Miramichi, New Brunswick. With salaries as low as $9.25 an hour and few, if any benefits, the jobs will attract workers with fewer skills and higher turnover can be expected. Privacy and security of information will be at risk," states Tony White, PSAC Regional Vice-President Atlantic.

"There are also no guarantees that this latest restructuring is going to be cost-effective, explains White. "The Auditor General’s report latest report highlights the Department of Justice’s inability to provide financial information and explanations for dramatic increases in the cost of the Firearms Program. The restructuring plan to privatize the CPS and replace the Canadian Firearms Registration System computer software is being touted by the department as part of the solution. However, as the Auditor General states: "The eventual cost of the solution is still to be determined by the Department."

"While there may be some savings from paying the workers lower salaries these savings go directly to the contractor and are more than offset by serious privacy concerns," concludes White.

PSAC represents approximately 140 workers at the Central Processing Site of the Canadian Firearms Centre in Miramichi, New Brunswick. They are employed in a variety of administrative positions including Client Service Agents, Data Processors, Transfer, Exception Handling and General Support Clerks and Firearms Officers.

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For information:     Lynn Ray, USGE National President, (613) 232-4821, ext. 231

                                Tony White, REVP Atlantic (902) 445-0925

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