Newfoundland and Labrador will run a digital identification pilot in 2023 – what will this mean for community organizations and the people they serve?

While there has long been a push for digital identification across the provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador has been the first to announce a formal pilot program.

Why It Matters

Digital identification could alleviate certain accessibility issues, but at the same time, exacerbate inequities when it comes to digital literacy and device accessibility. It’s also unclear how exactly digital identification will benefit or intersect with the work of community-serving social purpose organizations.

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For somebody experiencing homelessness and moving from shelter to shelter, there is a high chance that possessions and important documentation could get lost or misplaced while they are on the move. “You see ID clinics around Canada, which store people’s personal IDs when they are in a state of homelessness,” says Doug Pawson, executive director of End Homelessness St John’s. 

However, without that form of identification, a person’s ability to access critical services and g

 


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