Federal Government Launches Early Versions of Digital IDs for Some Permits and Licences

The Canadian Flag flies on the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 24, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

The federal government has launched two digital ID and wallet apps for certain licensing and permitting purposes that are currently in “early access” on an app store.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) told The Epoch Times in a statement that the government is developing “GC Issue and Verify,” which will enable the feds to issue and verify digital versions of physical credentials, such as work permits and boating licenses. It is also developing an app called GC Wallet.

The two apps are currently in “early access” on the Google Play store, and ESDC is listed as the apps’ developer. The description for GC Verify states that Canadians will be able to “scan and verify digital credentials,” with images on the app store showing an option for Canadians to verify their aviation licenses.

The description for GC Wallet reads that it is a digital wallet that allows Canadians to “store and present digital credentials” such as temporary visas or licenses.

ESDC said the two apps are being tested with a “small group in two pilot projects with federal partners.” Transport Canada is testing digital equivalents of paper-based licenses for aviation personnel, while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is testing the “digital equivalents of paper-based temporary visas for Moroccan visitors.”

ESDC said that the Canadian Digital Service (CDS), which builds digital services for federal departments, is taking an “incremental approach” for the delivery of the two apps, and gathering feedback to improve on them.

“It’s important to note that the use of digital versions of traditional credentials will remain voluntary and optional, giving Canadians choice while enhancing the quality and efficiency of government services,” ESDC said.

In December 2024, an Inquiry of Ministry showed that Canadian government agencies had spent around $6.4 million since 2019 on research and development of a national digital ID program. Liberal MP Stéphane Lauzon, then parliamentary secretary to the minister of Citizens’ Services, wrote that the federal government had no plans to launch a digital ID system or to make such a system mandatory.

“Furthermore, options that result in making the use of digital credentials being made mandatory are also not being considered. The digital, self-service delivery channel is optional,” Lauzon wrote.

Lauzon said that the CDS was working on a commitment first set out in Budget 2024 to “establish a modern, single sign-in portal for federal government services,” which would support the “fast and efficient delivery of government services.”

Several Western governments have been working on developing digital IDs, with the Australian government passing legislation in May embedding its new online identification program into law, which the government has said would be a voluntary way to verify identities online without having to repeatedly share sensitive documents.

U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer said in September that his government’s proposed digital ID will be mandatory for all adults to work in the country. The U.K. government has said the proposed IDs are intended to deter illegal immigrants from coming to the country.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters on Sept. 29 that the U.K. is “relatively unique” in not having compulsory identity cards for citizens, while Canadians have various forms of IDs. Carney said there may be benefits to having common digital IDs for government, financial, and immigration services, but “we don’t have current plans for that.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in October 2024 that his party is against “mandatory” digital IDs. The Conservatives say they are concerned about impacts on privacy and “intrusive tracking and surveillance attacks on our freedoms” associated with mandatory digital IDs.