Carding, also known as street checks, is the stopping and questioning by police of people not under investigation.

Charter concerns:

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 9, states everyone has the right against arbitrary detainment and imprisonment. When a police officer in uniform stops and requests/demands identification from people, that amounts to “psychological detainment,” because people do not feel they can leave, say lawyers.

What are your rights?:

Police have the right to approach you and ask you questions.

In most cases, you are not required to provide this information, including identification.

If you do answer, you must tell the truth.

(From the Canadian Civil Liberties Association)

When you do have to produce identification:

If police stop you while you are driving and request your identification

If you are riding a bicycle, and the police see you commit an offence and stop you, you must provide your name and address if asked.

As of Jan. 1, under new street check rules police officers are required to:

Inform the person they don’t have to talk to police.

Give a reason why they’ve stopped someone.

Provide a document that includes the officer’s name and badge number and information on how to contact the office of the Independent Police Review Director if they have concerns.

What's next:

In November, London politicians become the first city council to vote to ask the police services board to ban carding. Mayor Matt Brown vows to take it to next police services board meeting, on Dec. 15.

Members of the community have organized a protest to take place outside police headquarters