Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the heightened security environment that we all live in today, more and more people are being asked to produce photo identification in the course of their day-to-day routines. Although drivers’ licences are primarily intended to show that a person is qualified to operate a motor vehicle, in reality people do rely on them for proof of their identity in a number of situations. Many organizations, including banks and airlines, consider them a standard piece of identification. For many people, their driver's licence is the only kind of standard ID that they have. Mr. Speaker, I include myself in that group of people. Mr. Speaker, I was, therefore, very concerned to hear from a constituent of mine that while traveling to southern Canada, his driver’s licence was rejected as a proof of identity, presumably because it did lack authenticity. Sadly, I know that this was not the only case. Although the idea of a national standard for drivers’ licences has reached the drawing board of discussion, according to the Minister, the NWT drivers’ licence needs some immediate considerations. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Transportation about his plans that will continue to ensure the confidence in the NWT drivers’ licence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.