Can a provincial government use the SIN?
The law does not prevent provinces (or local governments) from using SINs. In Prince Edward Island, for example, parents of newborns must get the baby a SIN for their health care plan. And provincial governments use the SIN when they administer federal funds (like the Quebec Pension Plan or welfare). However, all provinces (except Alberta and Prince Edward Island) have privacy laws to protect personal information—including SINs—in government files. And the Quebec privacy law covers the private sector. Some provinces are reviewing their uses of the SIN. If you are concerned about your provincial government’s use of the number (and/or the private sector in Quebec), call your provincial privacy commissioner (or ombudsman where there is no commissioner). See the blue pages of your telephone book. Why should I worry about the SIN, it’s just a number. True, it’s just a number and individual file numbers are not necessarily a privacy problem. But the SIN is very powerful because it is unique,
