Liberals quietly accelerate “voluntary” digital ID rollout
The Liberal Party's digital ID agenda is advancing across government, even after earlier efforts stalled.
The Carney government is quietly expanding Canada’s digital ID infrastructure, rolling out pilot projects across multiple federal departments while insisting participation will remain “voluntary.”
An Employment and Social Development Canada briefing note, first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter, reiterates there are no plans for a mandatory national digital ID, despite acknowledging public skepticism among Canadians “distrustful of public institutions.”
“Digital credentials are secure electronic versions of physical documents like work permits, stored in a digital wallet,” the Jan. 14 briefing note said. “The government is creating a system so departments can issue digital versions of documents they already provide.”
The language echoes an Oct. 28, 2024 cabinet statement insisting there were “no plans to consider or introduce a federally issued digital ID,” even as Ottawa pursued what it described as “fast and efficient” digital government services.
