The Canadian Digital Service recently launched GC Sign In — a platform that makes it easier for Albertans to access all Government of Canada services in one place. Albertans now only have to prove their identity once, and they can then use the same login details to access over 270 online services. GC Sign In also integrates with the new GC Issue and Verify platform — which issues digital credentials that people can store on their phone and show whenever needed. Yet, these aren’t the only changes to ID on the horizon. The Alberta government may also have drivers licenses double as healthcare cards in an effort to do away with outdated paper healthcare cards.

GC Sign In: from sixty log-ins to one 

On the GC Sign In platform, Albertans will have one account, and one set of credentials used to log into digital government services. That means there’s no longer any need to remember different passwords for multiple accounts. In fact, until now, Albertans had to deal with up to sixty different log-in systems, each with its own username and password. But, with GC, you can access these services without having to verify your identity every time.

Digital credentials for Albertans

GC Sign In also integrates with GC Issue and Verify, another new platform, which allows government departments to easily issue digital credentials, like permits and licenses. So, users can log onto GC Sign In, and the GC Issue and Verify platform will seamlessly verify their identity. Albertans can also store their digital credentials on your phone, and share them whenever they need to prove their identity, whether online or in-person. Yet, despite this rise in digital ID and verification, 65% of Canadians still consider digital IDs less secure than physical ones, and at a greater risk of theft. On the other hand, physical IDs often include security features that effectively prevent duplication and alteration. Holograms and watermarks make physical IDs difficult to forge or tamper with, so they’re likely to always remain popular.

Alberta driver’s licenses may soon double as healthcare cards

Indeed, the future of access and identification in Alberta doesn’t always have to be digital to be effective. Take the government’s potential move to get rid of paper healthcare cards as an example. These may be phased out in favour of adding personal health care numbers to driver’s licenses — a simple change that would make it much more secure for Alberta patients to access hospital and GP appointments. Although paper healthcare cards have been issued in the province since 1969, they’re pretty flimsy and easily damaged. They also lack the basic security features driver’s licenses have, such as, transparent windows, laser marks, and raised numbers. But a final decision is yet to be made, and the province will consider their options and associated costs in due time.

As the Government of Canada continues to improve access and identification, Albertans can look forward to greater ease and convenience. Access to government services is set to become far more streamlined and user-friendly thanks to digital logins and improved healthcare cards, and these systems will only become more refined and efficient with time.