The Carney government is expanding Canada’s digital ID infrastructure, launching pilots across federal departments while insisting participation will remain “voluntary.”
An Employment and Social Development Canada briefing note, first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter, says Ottawa has no plans for a mandatory national digital ID.
The same note, however, acknowledged 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 note said.
“The government is creating a system so departments can issue digital versions of documents they already provide.”
The language echoes an October 2024 cabinet statement saying Ottawa had “no plans” for a federal digital ID while pursuing “fast and efficient” digital government services.
