Alberta’s Smith Joins Saskatchewan’s Moe in Rejecting Digital IDs

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gives an Alberta government update in Calgary on Jan. 10, 2023. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she agrees with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe that the “private health information” of the people of their provinces should be protected.

“I agree and stand firmly with [Premier Moe] in protecting Albertans’ private health information,” Smith said in a Twitter post on Feb. 10.

“I will ensure that any agreements with the Federal Government do NOT include the sharing of any such personal information with the Feds or third party.”

Smith’s post was in reaction to a letter issued by Moe regarding the current health care negotiations between the provinces and the federal government, in which he said his government wouldn’t agree to the creation of a digital ID.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks in a year-end interview in Regina on Dec. 15, 2020. Michael Bell/The Canadian Press

“The Government of Saskatchewan is not creating a Digital ID nor will we accept any requirements for the creation of a Digital ID tied to healthcare funding,” Moe said.

“The Government of Saskatchewan will not share any personal medical information with the federal government. This information is protected under The Health Information Protection Act and will remain so.”

The letter adds that the province may share health care statistics that are already public, such as the number of physicians in Saskatchewan and surgical wait times.

The provinces have been critical of the federal government on its recent announcement of health care funding, saying it needs to commit more funds. Ottawa recently announced $196 billion for health care funding to the provinces, of which $46 billion is new money.

The provinces say the feds only supply 22 percent of health care costs. The federal government rejects this assertion, saying bilateral deals with the provinces bring its share of the costs closer to 38 percent.