Alberta's Information and Privacy Commissioner has publicly expressed serious concerns regarding the inclusion of personal health numbers on provincial identification documents. This practice, which links a sensitive health identifier directly to a person's government-issued ID, poses potential risks to individual privacy and data security.
Core of the Privacy Issue
The commissioner's primary worry centers on the unnecessary exposure of a critical piece of health information. A personal health number is a key that unlocks an individual's medical history. When this number is printed on a driver's licence or other common ID, it becomes far more susceptible to being collected, copied, or misused in everyday transactions where identification is required, such as renting a property or verifying age.
The commissioner's concerns were highlighted during an appearance on Alberta Primetime on December 4, 2025. The discussion underscored the principle of data minimization, which holds that organizations should only collect the personal information absolutely necessary for a given purpose. Having a health identifier on a general ID card often violates this core privacy principle.
Potential Risks and Implications
This situation creates several tangible risks for Albertans. First, it increases the potential for identity theft, as a single lost or stolen card provides both general identity details and a gateway to health records. Second, it could lead to unauthorized access to confidential medical information if the number is used without proper consent.
Furthermore, the practice may result in the function creep of the health number, where it is used for purposes far beyond its original intent in the healthcare system. Individuals might feel compelled to share their health number in situations where it is not legally required, simply because it is visibly present on their primary ID.
Calls for Review and Action
The privacy commissioner's public statements are a clear call for the provincial government to review this longstanding practice. The goal is to explore alternative, more secure methods of proving eligibility for health services without carrying the number on a daily basis. Other jurisdictions have successfully separated these identifiers to enhance citizen privacy protection.
This issue places a spotlight on the ongoing challenge of balancing administrative convenience with the fundamental right to privacy. As data breaches and identity fraud become more sophisticated, the protection of sensitive identifiers like health numbers is increasingly critical. The commissioner's intervention signals that current practices in Alberta may not align with modern privacy standards and expectations.