HAMILTON, Canada

Canada's Alberta province will add Canadian citizenship markers to driver's licenses and identification cards beginning in late 2026, Premier Danielle Smith announced Monday.

Emphasizing that the change "will make life easier and more secure for all," Smith said at a news conference in Calgary that "starting in late 2026, Alberta will be the first province to implement the addition of Canadian citizenship markers to our driver's licenses and identification cards."

"This simple addition will have a profound impact on how Albertans interact with their government and their communities," she added.

Arguing that the move aims to make "things better, faster and more convenient for everyone," she said that "no longer will Albertans need to carry multiple documents or face unnecessary hurdles."

"It's about reducing red tape, cutting down on paperwork, and making sure that government works for you, not the other way around," she noted.

Saying the move is also tied to safeguarding elections, Smith said: "By adding citizenship information to Alberta's driver's licenses and ID cards, we're taking a proactive step toward ensuring that only eligible citizens cast ballots in our elections."

"This helps safeguard the integrity of our electoral process and strengthens trust in our democracy," she said.

Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said the rollout will take place during regular license renewals or new applications.

"The citizenship marker will be added during regular renewals or new applications starting in fall 2026 when the changes come into effect," Nally said.

"Canadian citizens renewing their Alberta driver's license or getting a new one will have the citizenship marker included in their cards if the legal entitlement documentation produced verifies their Canadian citizenship," he added.

Noting that the update comes at no additional cost, Nally also explained that the marker will follow international standards and will be displayed as a simple "CAN" code.

The citizenship marker will not appear on the licenses of non-citizens such as permanent residents, who remain eligible for provincial identification.

"It's about removing barriers, speeding things up, and delivering the kind of modern, common-sense service Albertans expect from their government," he said.