The Ford government says it plans to launch digital credentials, starting with the Ontario Photo Card and then later expanding to driver’s licences and health cards. The province made the announcement on Friday, noting that physical cards will still be available to residents. “As we modernize government services, we’re making identification more secure, convenient and cost-effective,” Ontario Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Stephen Crawford said in a release. “Digital credentials will provide a trusted and seamless way to present identification, helping protect personal information while retaining every Ontario resident’s right to use physical I.D.” The Ontario Photo Card is a government-issued identification for residents who do not have a driver’s licence. This is not the first time the province is proposing a digital ID program. In fact, in 2021, Ontario announced a similar program that would have allowed residents to store an electronic version of their government ID securely on their phone. But later that year, the government delayed the program’s launch. On Thursday, the province said consultations on developing the digital credentials will begin later this year. After that, the government said it will introduce the digital version of the Ontario Photo Card, allowing residents to have it on their phones and use it to access services online or in person. No launch date has been announced. “Today’s announcement, subsequent consultations and Ontario Photo Card use case testing will support the safe and secure introduction of optional digital driver’s licences and health cards at a later date,” the province said. “Digital credentials would be optional, offering more choice and flexibility for Ontarians. The province will engage ministries, stakeholders and the public to inform this work and ensure any changes are introduced in a way that protects privacy, builds public trust and meets the needs of Ontarians.” It reiterated that the digital credential will be optional and physical IDs would still be made available - a right, which the province said will be protected in new legislation that will be introduced late next year. The government said the move would align Ontario with other provinces such as Alberta, Quebec and B.C. “As part of our plan to protect Ontario, our government is taking innovative action to build a more connected and convenient health care system. Advancing plans to provide optional access to secure digital credentials, including health cards, is one of many ways we are doing just that,” said Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones in a statement. Tech analyst Carmi Levy said it’s awesome that Ontario is finally joining other provinces and dozens more U.S. jurisdictions that have the same program. “We’re long past the point where people are like, well, it’s on a smartphone can it be hacked? No. It’s incredibly secure,” Levy said in an interview with CP24. “It’s been proven around the world. It’s finally time for Ontario to get with the program.”
