A major data-sharing deal between Canadian media giant Thomson Reuters and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked outrage among opposition leaders in Canada. Avi Lewis, the federal leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), has urged Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to intervene and block the contract, citing concerns over the potential misuse of personal information.
The deal, valued at US$125 million, grants ICE access to Thomson Reuters' Clear database, which contains a vast array of personal data, including property records, social media activity, and geolocation information. The agreement marks a significant shift in the company's relationship with ICE, as it is the first contract to explicitly state that the Clear software will be used to support the Trump administration's stated objectives regarding 'voter fraud'. This development comes after recent prime-time television addresses by US President Donald Trump, during which he reiterated unsubstantiated claims about the integrity of the 2020 US presidential election results.
Thomson Reuters has a long history of providing data to ICE, dating back to 2015, when it began supplying access to its Clear database for tracking individuals for deportation purposes. However, this latest agreement has raised concerns among critics, who argue that Canadian corporations are complicit in the US administration's efforts to erode civil liberties. Mr. Lewis described his reaction to the news as "shocking", stating that the deal would allow ICE to engage in mass surveillance and compromise individual rights.
The NDP has long been critical of Canada's dealings with ICE, particularly in light of recent high-profile incidents involving US citizens. The party has called for Ottawa to deny export permits for companies selling equipment to ICE and to withdraw public subsidies or contracts from any businesses involved with the agency. Thomson Reuters, owned by the Woodbridge Company – a holding company for Canada's wealthy Thomson family – has yet to comment directly on the specific customer contract.