Alberta to add citizenship to ID cards to streamline service, protect elections

By Canadian Press on September 15, 2025.

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is adding proof of citizenship markers to driver’s licences and other forms of identification to streamline services and prevent election fraud.

Smith told reporters in Calgary the change would make it easier for students and the disabled to get funding, as they already have to prove Canadian citizenship to do so.

The goal, she said, is also to protect democracy to make sure only Canadian citizens vote in Alberta.

“We believe in making things better, faster and more convenient for everyone,” Smith said Monday.

“By including citizenship information on these cards, we’re streamlining access to vital services, whether applying for student aid, accessing health benefits or supporting those with disabilities.”

The citizenship marker is to appear as “CAN” on identification.

Smith said non-Canadian citizens, including permanent residents, would not have any new notation on their IDs.

Alberta health care numbers are also to be added to driver’s licences.

Smith said the province has registered more than 500,000 Alberta health care numbers than there are people in the province and adding the numbers to driver’s licences should help determine which are “outliers.”

The government says legislation is to be put forward this fall to make the changes, which it says would come into effect next year.