As for your follow-up questions, here is what we know to date.

Q. “Will we have control over what personal information is stored on these RFIDs?”

A. It’s a good question. The short answer is no. As we understand it, the cards will carry a unique 96-bit identifier number. Like an IP address or Social Insurance Number, individuals won’t have any choice there. If you sign up for the card, you get the identifier you’re issued.

Q. Will we know what is and isn’t on there and available to those able to read them?

A. This is a tricky point, and requires a longer answer. To be clear, as currently envisioned, the unique identifier is the only element of personal information on the chip. While there is no technical obstacle to adding data at a later time, for now only the 96-bit ID tag is needed.

The more important issue, which you allude to, is the database of personal information authorized users will access once they read the RFID chip from the EDL. That unique identifier will point them to a matching record in their screening system for that particular EDL holder. In turn, that detailed record will generate queries against various watch lists and criminal alert systems.

For more information on the information gathered in the EDL process, please refer to the Enhanced Driver’s License Personal Information Consent Form issued by BC authorities (http://www.icbc.com/licensing/pdf/EDL_Part_Guide.pdf).

Q. How can the public get a realistic perspective on border security?

Well, not too be all Canuckistan about it, but 24 is a far better gauge of political sentiment than security. For actual real-world information, Public Safety Canada has a decent site on how they actually manage the border day-to-day: http://www.safecanada.ca/link_e.asp?category=6&topic=98.

Will we have control over what personal information is stored on these RFIDs? Will we know what is and isn’t on there and available to those able to read them?

By the way, have you watched 24? Considering how many people watch it and believe it to portray very possible scenarios of doom and destruction at the hands of terrorists (if only we all had RFIDs Jack Bauer could save us!), how can the public get a realistic perspective on border security?