Ottawa Invests $6.4 Million in Creating ‘Optional’ National Digital ID

December 24, 2024 TruthUSA

Canadian federal agencies have allocated approximately $6.4 million since 2019 for the research and development of a national digital ID program. Despite this investment, the government has clarified that there are currently no plans to implement a digital ID system.

The funds have been utilized for the advancement of digital identification technology, as indicated by records presented in Parliament on Dec. 16 and initially disclosed by Blacklock’s reporter. All government departments provided the figures in response to Conservative MP Ben Lobb’s inquiry on federal spending on such technologies over the past five years and Ottawa’s intentions for their utilization.

In a response, Liberal MP Stéphane Lauzon, parliamentary secretary to Minister of Citizens’ Services Terry Beech, stated that the government does not intend to introduce a digital ID system or make it mandatory.

“There are no plans to consider or implement a federally issued digital ID,” Lauzon wrote. “Furthermore, any options that make the use of digital credentials mandatory are not being contemplated. The digital, self-service delivery channel remains optional.”

Expenditure on the program includes $1.5 million from the Canada Revenue Agency, $1.4 million from the Department of Transport, $1 million from the Departments of Immigration and Fisheries, a further $1 million from the Treasury Board, $150,000 from the Correctional Service of Canada, $106,398 from the Public Service Commission, and $62,780 from the Canada Border Services Agency.

Additional departments such as environment and climate change, indigenous services, the department of finance, and Global Affairs Canada reported zero spending on digital identification technologies.

Lauzon mentioned that the government has been exploring these technologies for an extended period but did not provide specific details on the timeline. He explained that Ottawa has yet to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the federal application of digital IDs.

The Canadian Digital Service (CDS) is actively working on fulfilling the commitment outlined in Budget 2024 to establish a modern, unified sign-in portal for federal government services to enhance the efficient delivery of government services, according to Lauzon’s response.

The CDS has inaugurated an office dedicated to researching, piloting, and implementing a single sign-in platform, along with a digital credential Issue and Verify platform for the Canadian government, as highlighted by Lauzon. Currently, over 30 employees are engaged in this office.

Visit the Canadian government’s website for more information.

“Instead of only having physical credentials in their wallets, people will also be able to securely store their digital credentials on their mobile devices,” as stated on the website. “They can share them online or in-person when needed, making it easy for departments, organizations, and businesses to validate their information.”

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis has expressed concerns about digital IDs, citing potential government abuse.

“The problem that most Canadians have with this expansion and globalization of digital credentials and technologies is that the government can abuse its power when it has access to all that information,” she said in a video in November.

“Given the amount of information stored in these digital IDs, there’s fear that if it’s not properly regulated, digital information can be collected and it may get into the hands of a bad actor, or government could flip a switch and lock you out of access to key services or use your information without obtaining your expressed consent.”

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