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By Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press

Privacy Concerns

Adding Alberta health-care numbers to licences increases fraud risk; privacy watchdog

Dec 2, 2025 | 11:20 AM

Alberta’s privacy watchdog is raising concerns about a new government bill that would add health-care numbers to driver’s licences and other forms of identification.

Information and privacy commissioner Diane McLeod says it would increase the risk of fraud as the numbers could be obtained outside of health-care settings.

McLeod says personal health numbers are sought after due to Canada’s public health-care system and, if obtained by bad actors to access care, it could cause harm by having incorrect health records.

She says she’s also concerned because the Alberta government body responsible for driver’s licences, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, isn’t subject to privacy laws.

Primary Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange says the legislation prohibits unauthorized people from using personal health numbers.

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LaGrange says the government is developing further regulations regarding the motor vehicle registrar and is to discuss those changes with McLeod.

Meantime, the Association of Alberta Registry Agents issued the following statement on the protection of Albertans’ personal information and data security:

“Alberta’s registry agents take the protection of personal information very seriously. It is a misrepresentation that no privacy regulations protect Albertans’ personal information as it relates to Alberta’s Registries. Our professional agents operate under a stringent regulatory framework designed to ensure the security and appropriate use of Albertans’ personal information.

The protection of personal and vehicle data is strictly governed by the Access to Motor Vehicle Information Regulation, a statute developed in consultation with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC). Registry agents are also subject to the Protection of Privacy Act, Personal Information Protection Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.”

The Association notes key measures ensuring compliance and accountability:

1. Mandatory Training: Agents complete annual privacy training courses developed by the Government of Alberta.
2. Health Data Compliance: Agents accessing the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan database must successfully complete rigorous Health Information Act training and pass a certification exam.
3. Government Oversight: Agent activities are continuously monitored and audited by Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction to ensure adherence to all relevant legislation, regulation, policy, and privacy laws.

“Our members—your local registry agents—are dedicated professionals committed to ensuring that all private information is secure and protected from negligence and fraud, upholding the public trust every day.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2025.

(With files from rdnewsNOW)