“Starting today, the old CareCard will be replaced by the BC Services Card, a highly secure form of identification,” said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. “This new card will be a secure piece of photo identification with many anti-fraud and security features including secure design, an expiry date and enhanced features which will help to protect citizens’ personal information.”

Most adults will need to re-enrol in the Medical Services Plan over the next five years. The easiest way for British Columbians to enrol is to do so when renewing their driver’s licence and opt for the combined card that includes both a driver’s licence and BC Services Card. People who do not drive can still enrol at the nearest location where driver’s licences are issued.

The current CareCard was introduced in 1989 and has not been significantly updated over the last 20 years. The new BC Services Card takes advantage of significant advances in technology, to provide a secure piece of photo identification with enhanced features to protect citizens’ personal information. The new card features a photograph of the beneficiary, secure design and an expiry date.

“We have been engaging with the information and privacy commissioner on this program for more than two years and I am pleased that she agrees from a privacy and security point of view we are ready to offer the BC Services Card to citizens,” said Minister of Citizens’ Services and Open Government Ben Stewart.

Privacy Concerns?

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has raised concerns that the cards appear to be part of government push to integrate databases containing citizens’ personal information.

Policy director Micheal Vonn has called for a halt to the program until more information is made public.

“This government has got to come clean on the card before we are all forced to use it,” he said last week. “British Columbians have been provided almost no real information about it.”

Government says the health and ICBC databases will remain separate and no actual health or driving records will be stored on the cards.

The new BC Services Card replaces the old CareCard starting next month, and residents have the option of combining it with their drivers licence. The new BC Services Card replaces the old CareCard starting next month, and residents have the option of combining it with their drivers licence.

People won’t have to combine the cards if they don’t want to, and people who do not want a drivers licence can still get the new BC Services Card on its own.