Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to shed some light on a matter that has been increasing dramatically in Canada and one that we as a government can take steps to improve. Mr. Speaker, the issue that I refer to is the growing trend of identity theft in Canada.
Identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in both Canada and the United States. Mr. Speaker, the statistics are staggering. In Canada alone, the Phone Busters national call centre received 7,629 identity theft complaints in 2002, which resulted in a reported total loss to people of more than $8.5 million. In the first quarter of 2003, there were 2,250 complaints resulting in total losses of $5.3 million.
Mr. Speaker, one of the ways that thieves get a hold of your identity is to take your driver's licence, credit cards or other major pieces of identification that you may possess. Mr. Speaker, it was recently brought to my attention that the way that our driver's licences are processed in the Northwest Territories makes it very simple for a thief to assume your identity once they are in possession of your licence.
Mr. Speaker, the very fact of plasticizing our driver's licence makes it very simple for a thief to peel back the plastic and insert their photo on your licence. It is so simple that once a thief has your driver's licence, they are able to obtain numerous other pieces of identification and will allow a new identity. Mr. Speaker, I question why the Department of Transportation is still allowing this archaic practice of plasticizing driver's licences to be continued in light of the rapid increase in identity theft.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the credit card format is used for driver's licences in almost every other jurisdiction in Canada. Many jurisdictions also have a bar code on their licences that does not allow further tampering of driver's licences. I would think that surely it is time for the Northwest Territories to get on board with this practice also. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause