Starting May 14, Manitobans have the option of applying for a new government-endorsed photo identification card that will serve as secure proof of age, identity and residency.
The card will cost $20, including the photograph, and will be good for up to five years. Manitobans can apply for the ID card on a voluntary basis through any Autopac agent or Manitoba Public Insurance service centre.
“We know there’s a need for this type of document among Manitobans who don’t have a driver’s licence or other form of recognized photo ID,” said Ward Keith, Registrar of Motor Vehicles. “We’re pleased that we can now offer this choice to Manitobans.”
Anyone residing in Manitoba will be eligible to apply for the new card, provided they are 12 years of age or older, and do not hold a driver’s licence or Enhanced Identification Card. Parental consent will be required for applicants under the age of 18.
Similar ID cards are available to residents of most other Canadian jurisdictions, typically through the body that administers driver licensing services. In this province, those services are provided by Manitoba Public Insurance.
“By introducing another new choice for secure ID, we’re helping Manitobans derive more value from our infrastructure,” said Marilyn McLaren, president and chief executive officer for Manitoba Public Insurance. “We have very secure and extensive networks for providing in-person service and the electronic exchange of data. This is another way to make use of those advantages for the benefit of Manitobans.”
Keith cautioned that the new card should not be confused with the Enhanced Identification Card, which is available to Manitobans seeking a voluntary alternative for entering the U.S. by land or water.
Unlike the Enhanced Identification Card, the basic ID card does not provide proof of Canadian citizenship and does not require an in-person interview. It does not contain an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip or MRZ (machine readable zone).
Also, all personal information collected when applying for the new basic ID card will remain within the exclusive control of the Manitoba government and its agencies.
To obtain the card, applicants must present original documents proving their birth date, legal name, signature, photograph and entitlement to be in Canada, as well as two documents proving Manitoba residency. A Guarantor Declaration may also be accepted if someone is having difficulty obtaining the required documents with a photograph or signature, or a second document to prove residency.
The Manitoba government and Manitoba Public Insurance are working with the provincial Ombudsman and will ensure that any privacy concerns are reviewed and addressed.
Previous privacy impact assessments have dealt with many of the same considerations, such as the use of facial recognition software and the electronic exchange of information with the Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency.
More information about the new card is available on the Manitoba Public Insurance website (www.mpi.mb.ca) or from any Autopac agent or Manitoba Public Insurance service centre.
