The government of Canada has announced it is working on a new federal “Digital Identity Program” after partnering with Klaus Schwab’s World Economic Forum (WEF) to help develop a global ID system.
Canada joins the Dutch government in developing a digital ID system in partnership with the WEF.
The program seeks to create a digital proof-of-identity document for all citizens that is logged in a system used by airports, authorities, and government agencies.
Details about the development of a federal “Digital Identity Program” were revealed in the Canadian government’s “Canada’s Digital Ambition 2022” report.
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for government services to be accessible and flexible in the digital age,” the report published by the government reads.
“The next step in making services more convenient to access is a federal Digital Identity Program, integrated with pre-existing provincial platforms.
“Digital identity is the electronic equivalent of a recognized proof-of-identity document (for example, a driver’s license or passport) and confirms that ‘you are who you say you are’ in a digital context.”
For the digital ID program, Canada is partnering with the WEF.
The WEF’s program is called “Known Traveler Digital Identity,” which the organization boasts is “the first global collaboration of its kind.”
“The Known Traveller Digital Identity, or KTDI, is a World Economic Forum initiative that brings together a global consortium of individuals, governments, authorities, and the travel industry to enhance security in world travel,” the WEF’s “Known Traveler Digital Identity” website says.
“The pilot group, convened by the World Economic Forum, consists of the Government of Canada and the Netherlands, Air Canada, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol,” the website notes.
Canada’s Digital Identity Program further cements the country’s commitment to the WEF’s digital ID project.
The Canadian government has previously tried rolling out digital ID schemes, like the unsuccessful federal contact tracing app and the controversial ArriveCAN, which is required to enter the country.
Despite the failures and privacy concerns, the Liberal Canadian government is not giving up on digital ID schemes.
