No government ID: Navigating homelessness, identity, and privacy

Robert Fabes is a registered psychotherapist. His focus is on meaning-based existential mental health and addictions counselling. In addition to counselling clients in his private practice, he’s an addictions and trauma counsellor at The Ottawa Mission.

Misconceptions about homelessness [5:06]Privacy concerns for people experiencing homelessness [6:18]Artificial intelligence tools to predict and prevent homelessness [9:10] Barriers people experiencing homelessness face when trying to obtain or replace government-issued ID [13:20] ID tied to access to services, self worth, and dignity [15:33]The ID Project at The Ottawa Mission [17:25]Social stigma about homelessness and privacy [21:41]Consulting with, and advocating for, the privacy rights of marginalized
groups [23:18]Moving toward digital ID systems, ensuring no one is left behind [26:25]

Resources:

‘Explainable AI’ predicts homelessness in Ontario city (Cities Today)IPC Response to the Ontario government’s public consultation on a “Policy framework for Ontario’s digital identity program”Digital ID in Ontario (Government of Ontario)Nothing About Us Without Us: Seven Principles for Leadership & Inclusion of People with Lived Experience of Homelessness (Lived Experience Advisory Council)IPC Strategic Priorities 2021-2025Privacy and Transparency in a Modern Government(IPC resources)

Info Matters is a podcast about people, privacy, and access to information hosted by Patricia Kosseim, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. We dive into conversations with people from all walks of life and hear stories about the access and privacy issues that matter most to them. 

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