Alberta is set to introduce new driver’s licences starting on July 2, which will now include an individual’s health card number, marking the end of an era where paper cards have been a long-standing inconvenience for residents of the province. The updated cards will also feature details regarding a driver’s citizenship, a decision that sparked controversy when it was first announced in August of last year. The provincial government asserts that this inclusion will streamline the process of determining eligibility for government services and voting rights.
To obtain the new driver’s licence or renew an existing one, applicants will be required to provide proof of their legal status in Canada. Additionally, individuals opting to have their health card number displayed on the licence will need to present their health card during the application process. Despite these changes, the cost of the driver’s licence will remain unchanged.
The revamped design of the driver’s licence will bid farewell to the previous depiction of a dinosaur, introduced in the 2018 design, and will instead showcase an oil derrick alongside a wild rose, representing Alberta’s provincial flower. The phrase “Alberta Strong and Free” will be prominently displayed on the back of the card. Previous Alberta administrations have pledged to replace the flimsy paper cards over the years but were deterred by the associated costs.
Concerns were raised by Diane McLeod, Alberta’s information and privacy commissioner, last year regarding the addition of health card numbers to driver’s licences. She highlighted that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles operates outside the purview of any privacy legislation, potentially heightening the risk of fraudulent activities. In response, the government argued that linking health care numbers to driver’s licences would actually decrease the likelihood of fraud, as the number is linked to an identification document featuring a photograph.