Province tables bill to add mandatory citizenship markers, personal health numbers to Alberta IDs

The United Conservative Party says new changes to ID cards will streamline access to services, prevent election fraud and root out fake health care numbers.

Legislation integrating mandatory citizenship markers and personal health numbers to Alberta IDs was tabled by the provincial government Monday afternoon.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally announced five amendments to the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act that included changes to government-issued IDs as well as supporting measures for tourism and agriculture ministries.

• UCP gov’t legalizing farmed elk and deer hunting on ‘harvest preserves’ with Bill 10

“Albertans will have a seamless experience and no longer need to carry multiple cards to verify their identity. Their driving privileges or citizenship while accessing the services they rely on such as health care,” said Nally at a press conference, adding that changes will come at no extra cost to Albertans.

The minister said applying for future provincial benefits will be more seamless with additional information integrated into identification cards.

“It’s going to be easier for you because you’re not going to have to produce a birth certificate, it’s going to be on your driver’s licence,” he said. “And let’s be clear … This is about making it easier for Albertans to access services.”

Some critics have raised concerns about the citizenship markers, saying it could open the door to discrimination and privacy breaches.

If the bill passes, Nally said the timeline for the integration is “mid 2026.”