McGuinty Government To Introduce New Driver's Licence Card by Late 2007

New Card Will Include State-Of-The-Art Security Features

QUEEN'S PARK, March 9 /CNW/ - The Ontario government today took a significant step toward making its driver's licence cards more secure.

"We're on the side of Ontarians concerned about safety," said Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield. "To meet today's security needs we are introducing a new card with technologies and security features to protect holders from identify theft and make it more difficult to tamper with or counterfeit."

Using the latest technology, and with security changes guided by Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the Ontario driver's licence will be at the forefront of card security. The card will be produced by Giesecke and Devrient Systems Canada (G&D), a subsidiary of The G & D Group, a global leader with more than 40 years' experience in advanced technology for identification, including secure document design for driver's licences, passports, payment transactions and currency printing for governments and financial institutions around the world. Selected though a fair, open and competitive process, the Markham, Ontario based company will draw on its worldwide experience and expertise to create the next generation of Ontario's driver's licences.

Last week, Premier Dalton McGuinty and the premiers of Manitoba and New Brunswick visited Washington to raise concerns with US leaders about the impact of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on jobs and the economy in states and provinces along the border. The new card will serve as the platform for further discussions about how the embedded security measures could provide a viable solution for travel across the border for families, businesses and governments.

"America is a key trading partner, neighbour and friend to Canada, and safe and secure border crossings are critical to both nations," added Cansfield. "The proposed new high-security driver's licence card could be a workable solution for families, businesses and governments on both sides of the border that increases security and protects cross-border trade and tourism. We need to balance security measures with the safe and efficient movement of people and goods."

"The new, more secure driver's license is an important part of our efforts to keep our border with the United States safe while maintaining free-flowing trade and travel," said Tourism Minister Jim Bradley.

"We are extremely proud to have been chosen to deliver the next generation of driver's licences for the people of Ontario," said Anna Rossetti, president, Card Systems and Solutions, G&D Canada. "G&D places an extraordinarily high value on security, and we are honoured for the work and responsibility the Government of Ontario has entrusted to us - it is a responsibility we take very seriously."