Ontario to develop enhanced photo ID for cross-border travel

[Bulldog]

Ontario to develop enhanced photo ID for cross-border travel


TORONTO - Ontario plans to offer enhanced photo identification cards to non-drivers as an alternative to a passport when they travel to the United States, Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said Tuesday.

Several provinces, including Ontario, have been pushing for enhanced driver's licences to allow Canadians to cross by land or sea into the U.S.

But Ontario will also develop a high-tech photo ID card for the four million residents who don't have a valid driver's licence, under legislation introduced in the legislature Tuesday.

"If passed, this legislation will make cross-border travel more accessible, saving our economy millions and reducing congestion at the borders," Bradley said.

Under the proposed Photo Card Act, the province would offer both regular and "enhanced" licences for drivers and photo IDs for those who can't or don't drive.

The province is working closely with the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop the program, Bradley said.

Other provinces also support the idea of an enhanced driver's licence to relieve backups at the border as the U.S. steps up security in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Passports are still required when flying to the U.S.

British Columbia is the first province to try out enhanced licences through a pilot project involving Washington state and the federal government.

Alberta, Quebec, Manitoba and several U.S. states, including New York, have also shown interest in developing the high-tech licences, which are embedded with a radio frequency identification chip that can be scanned at border crossings.

Negotiations are continuing between Ottawa and Washington over the proposal to use enhanced licences, which has been endorsed by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Next June, all travellers to the U.S. will have to present either a passport or an acceptable alternative.

Progressive Conservative Frank Klees said he supports the program, but added the province still needs to address concerns about the technology.

Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian has said she's apprehensive about the security of citizenship information that's stored on chips that are embedded in the cards because the information is transmitted wirelessly.

"I am concerned with some of the challenges that the ministry seems to have in terms of managing information," Klees said.

"I'm not convinced at this point in time that the minister has a full handle on that."

Bradley acknowledged last week that a drunk driver who killed four people and was banned from driving for life managed to get his licence back due to an apparent bureaucratic foul-up.

After the man's conviction, the courts supplied the ministry with a different birthdate than the date listed on his driver's licence, Bradley said.

The problem came to light after police arrested Kevin Scott, 41, of Kingston, Ont., in May and charged him with driving while disqualified.

An alert officer, suspicious of the graduated licence given the man's age, did some further checking and discovered the driving ban. Police allege Scott had been driving for almost 18 months.
   
http://travel.canoe.ca/Travel/News/2008/06/03/5761981-cp.html