Alberta’s privacy commissioner is raising concerns with a recent government move to add citizenship details to driver’s licences. Earlier this week, Premier Danielle Smith announced mandatory citizenship markers will be placed on provincially issued IDs in late 2026. She says the change is all about streamlining services and preventing election fraud. Wednesday, in a statement to CTV News, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta questioned the move. “My office was not informed ahead of time about this initiative by the Government of Alberta, nor consulted, so at this time (it) has little information aside from the news release and media coverage,” Diane McLeod wrote. “It is unclear from the government announcement as to what purpose the inclusion of this information on Albertans’ driver’s licences will serve. It is also unclear what the benefit for Albertans would be.” Further, McLeod joined legal experts in questioning if the province would even be allowed to collect that data. “A public body, such as a Government of Alberta department, is prohibited from collecting personal information unless authorized by the Protection of Privacy Act,” her statement read. “My office would need to see the specifics of the initiative and the proposed legislation in order to assess. “The government would have to demonstrate how any benefit of having that information included on a driver’s licence would outweigh the privacy risks.” Smith responds Asked about the privacy commissioner’s reply at a Wednesday event at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the premier reiterated the process will streamline services. “Part of the reason for (the change) is to make sure that people who are accessing social programs are entitled to access those,” Smith said, pointing to benefits like AISH and Alberta Student Aid. “That’s going to be one way we can also make it easier for people to demonstrate that they have a right to vote, as well,” she said. “Manitoba has had citizenship on its licences in the past, as has Ontario,” Smith said. “So, I think we can manage through it.” Manitoba and B.C. also once issued driver’s licences that listed citizenship. The latter said the marking was intended to expedite travel to the U.S. All four provinces have since discontinued the practice. Immigration rethink On Wednesday, Smith sent a mandate letter advising her jobs minister to use all legal means possible to give Alberta more control over immigration. In the note given to Joseph Schow, the premier writes Alberta needs more control over immigration to ensure the province sees sustainable levels of newcomers. The directive comes as Smith’s hand-picked Alberta Next Panel continues its tour of the province. It’s seeking support for measures meant to push back against federal policies and programs. One proposal is for Alberta to create its own provincial immigration system and withhold social services from newcomers who aren’t approved. With files from The Canadian Press
