Canada’s Digital Ambition 2022 includes details about the government working on a federal “Digital Identity Program.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for government services to be accessible and flexible in the digital age. The next step in making services more convenient to access is a federal Digital Identity Program, integrated with pre-existing provincial platforms,” a report published by the government reads.
“Digital identity is the electronic equivalent of a recognized proof-of-identity document (for example, a driver’s license or passport) and confirms that ‘you are who you say you are’ in a digital context.”
Canada is already partnering with the World Economic Forum (WEF) on a digital ID program.
WEF’s Known Traveler Digital Identity website says: “The pilot group, convened by the World Economic Forum, consists of the Government of Canada and the Netherlands, Air Canada, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.”
Canada’s Digital Identity Program further cements the country’s commitment to the WEF’s digital ID project.
The Canadian government has previously tried rolling out digital ID schemes, like the unsuccessful federal contact tracing app and the controversial ArriveCAN, which is required to enter the country.
Despite the failures and privacy concerns, the Liberal Canadian government is not giving up on digital ID schemes.
