Reject national digital ID

AI summary

Petitioners ask the House of Commons to reject any national digital ID and protect Canadians’ privacy from invasive biometric tracking. The government responds that it will not create a mandatory national digital ID.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled The Government of Canada has expressed interest in developing or implementing a national digital identification system (“digital ID”) for Canadians; Such a system could allow for extensive collection, storage, and linking of personal and biometric data across government agencies and private organizations; Canadians are concerned that a digital ID system could infringe upon the right to privacy guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; A national digital ID could enable government or agency overreach in accessing, monitoring, or controlling personal information; The system could increase the risk of data breaches, identity theft, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities; Digital identification infrastructure could facilitate mass surveillance or profiling inconsistent with democratic principles; It may undermine the moral and cultural values of personal freedom, autonomy, and responsibility that define Canadian society; and It could disproportionately affect Canadian youth, who would grow up in a system of pervasive monitoring and conditional access to services — similar to the social credit system in the People’s Republic of China, where digital surveillance restricts freedom of movement, education, and opportunity. We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Reject any current or future proposals for the creation or implementation of a national digital identification system in Canada; 2. Affirm Canadians’ rights to privacy, freedom, and security of personal information as protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; 3. Protect future generations from invasive digital and biometric tracking systems that undermine individual liberty; and 4. Reaffirm Canada’s foundational values of democracy, dignity, and respect for the individual in all technology and data governance policies.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY PATRICIA LATTANZIO The Government of Canada recognizes the high value of privacy, autonomy, and the protection of personal information in the lives of Canadians. These interests are protected by Canada’s constitutional and legislative framework. Any federal measure must be developed and implemented in a manner consistent with the Constitution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter). Where government action engages protected rights or freedoms, it must comply with constitutional requirements. Privacy protections in Canada flow in part from the Charter, particularly section 8, which guarantees the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure. Section 8 applies to government law and action, including at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels, and protects against unjustified state intrusions on a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy. Depending on the circumstances, this protection may extend to personal information, including biometric data, disclosed by, to, or between government entities. These protections are essential to individual dignity, autonomy, and the proper functioning of our democracy. At the federal level, privacy is also protected by the Privacy Act which governs the collection, use, retention, and disclosure of personal information by federal departments and agencies. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, an independent Agent of Parliament responsible for protecting and promoting privacy rights, oversees compliance with the Privacy Act. The Government of Canada remains committed to upholding the Charter, protecting privacy rights, and ensuring federal laws, policies, and program adhere to Canada’s legal framework. Response by the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Signed by Annie Koutrakis The Government of Canada recognizes that Canadians place a high value on privacy, security, accessibility, and individual choice when accessing government services. These principles are foundational to the design and delivery of digital services and are reflected in the Government’s legislative and policy framework, including the Privacy Act, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, and the Policy on Service and Digital. The Government is not developing a mandatory national digital identification system or a centralized database of Canadians’ personal or biometric information. Rather, the Government is modernizing how Canadians securely access government services online through digital infrastructure that improves security, usability, and privacy while supporting existing program authorities. Consistent with the Department of Employment and Social Development Act s. 71(2), electronic service delivery does not replace non-electronic service options unless authorized through the legislative and regulatory processes established by Parliament. As part of this work, the Canadian Digital Service is developing CanadaLogin, a modern sign-in service that will enable Canadians to use a single, secure way to access participating Government of Canada digital services, replacing multiple existing sign-in methods over time. CanadaLogin does not establish a mandatory digital identity, nor does it require Canadians to access Government of Canada services exclusively through digital channels. The service does not create a national identity database, does not change program eligibility requirements or decisions, and does not expand the information collected or shared by departments beyond what departments are authorized to collect under applicable legislation. The Government is also developing GC Issue and Verify, which will enable participating organizations to issue and verify digital versions of existing government-issued credentials where appropriate. Digital credentials are secure digital versions of the physical documents that people already use today, like work permits and boating licenses. These credentials can be issued and verified online and in-person but represent the same information as their physical counterparts. Digital credentials are essentially trusted/verifiable digital versions of the documents that departments are already issuing. The use of digital credentials will remain voluntary and optional. Canadians are not required to obtain or use a digital credential to access Government of Canada services. People will continue to be able to access Government of Canada services through the channel of their choice – including over the phone, or in person at Service Canada Centres. Decisions regarding the use of digital credentials for programs or services would continue to be made under the legislative authorities governing those programs. Privacy and security requirements are integrated throughout the design and implementation of these services. This includes Privacy Impact Assessments, security assessment and authorization processes, threat and risk assessments, accessibility reviews, and compliance with applicable legislation and Government of Canada policies. The Government is also exploring technologies that support privacy-enhancing methods, including data minimization and selective disclosure, enabling individuals to share only the information necessary for a particular transaction wherever feasible. Individuals who have questions or concerns regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of their personal information may seek assistance from ESDC’s Privacy Management Division or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, which are available to provide information and address privacy-related concerns. The Government recognizes the importance of maintaining public trust as digital services evolve. These services are intended to improve access to government programs, strengthen protection against fraud and cyber threats, reduce the need for Canadians to manage multiple sign-in credentials, and provide departments with secure, reusable digital infrastructure that reduces duplication across government. The Government remains committed to ensuring that digital services are secure, transparent, accessible and respectful of Canadians’ privacy, and are developed in a manner that is consistent with Canadian law and the rights and protections afforded to individuals. These services are intended to complement, not replace existing service delivery channels, ensuring Canadians continue to have a choice in how they access Government of Canada services. Response by the President of the Treasury Board Signed by Tom Osborne In relation to affirming Canadians’ rights to privacy, freedom, and the security of personal information as protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Government of Canada takes the privacy rights of Canadians seriously. The Privacy Act (the Act) is the law that sets out privacy rights of individuals when they interact with the Government of Canada. It protects the personal information of individuals held by government institutions and applies to how the government collects, uses and discloses their personal information. The Act also gives individuals the right to access their personal information held by government institutions. In addition, through Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) policies and directives, the Government sets privacy rules and guidance that federal institutions must follow so that these rights are respected in practice. The Government of Canada is continuously looking for ways to strengthen privacy and to adopt measures to better protect personal information held by government institutions, especially in the face of evolving technology. In April 2026, the President of the Treasury Board launched a review of the Act seeking to align the Act with the needs of Canadians, including Indigenous Peoples, in today’s modern digital age. In relation to protecting future generations from invasive digital and biometric tracking systems that could undermine individual liberty, the review will examine whether additional safeguards, accountability measures and oversight mechanisms are required to ensure these technologies are used in a manner that respects privacy and individual rights. Our world has changed dramatically since the Act came into force in 1983. At that time, information was primarily stored on paper. After four decades of technological advances and social change, expectations among people in Canada regarding how federal institutions use, share and store their personal information have evolved. Today, privacy is not only about protecting individuals from state overreach; it’s also the foundation that enables secure data reuse and interoperable services while supporting public trust. The review is a chance to take a fresh look at the Act to make sure it meets the needs of Canadians, including Indigenous people, in the digital age. The government invited Canadians and Indigenous People to share their views on potential policy approaches from April 2 to July 10. Input will help shape the future of privacy in Canada. It will also inform a report, which will be published at the conclusion of the review. An updated Privacy Act would help protect the personal information of Canadians held by Government of Canada programs and activities, including those that may use digital and biometric tracking systems. In the meantime, the Privacy Act and TBS’ privacy policy suite continues to require federal institutions to follow clear rules on how they collect, use, disclose, retain and dispose of personal information. These requirements apply to the use of new digital tools such as biometrics, artificial intelligence, and automated decision systems, helping ensure that innovation in service delivery is aligned with Canadian’s privacy rights.