Alberta’s information and privacy commissioner is raising concerns about the provincial government’s proposal to include citizenship information on driver’s licenses. Premier Danielle Smith announced the decision at a press briefing on Monday, explaining that adding citizenship markers would facilitate Albertans in accessing funding and services such as student aid, health benefits, and disability supports more efficiently. Smith emphasized that the change is also aimed at safeguarding democracy by enhancing the integrity and security of elections.
Scheduled to commence in late 2026, this alteration would make Alberta the first province to mandate citizenship markers on driver’s licenses. Privacy commissioner Diane McLeod expressed surprise at the initiative, highlighting the sensitive nature of citizenship information. McLeod emphasized the need for the government to justify the inclusion of this data on driver’s licenses by demonstrating how the benefits outweigh the privacy risks, especially considering that driver’s licenses are commonly used as age verification.
Furthermore, McLeod questioned the potential advantages for Albertans from the inclusion of citizenship markers, highlighting uncertainties regarding the legality of collecting such personal data without explicit authorization under the Protection of Privacy Act. She noted the absence of a privacy impact assessment, a crucial tool for identifying and mitigating privacy and security risks associated with processing personal or health information.