Mar 5, 2019 in Papers & Projects, White Papers & Case Studies by DIACC

Identity in Action Case Study: BC Services Card

This week, the Province of B.C. released the Identity in Action Case Study: BC Services Card.  

Recognizing that now people are managing much of their daily lives online and on mobile devices, the province created the BC Services Card. Available when individuals apply for or renew their B.C. Driver’s Licence, the Card is a way for citizens to easily prove who they are in person, online and on mobile.

This multi-year effort is the result of collaboration with several other organizations, including Service BC, SecureKey Technologies and IBM. The journey began in 2007, when the Ministry of Citizens’ Services (CITZ) commenced their research on industry standards and trends.  

“Having a digital identity solution embedded in our service model for government means we will have a profound impact on the way citizens and businesses access government services,” said Beverly Dicks, Assistant Deputy Minister, Service BC.

While the Cards have so far been used as a physical piece of secure government-issued ID, the long-term vision is for individuals to use them to prove their identity when they access services online, in person, or using mobile devices.

Below are some highlights from the case study:

  • Since the first BC Service Cards were issued in February 2013, there are now over 4.6 million in circulation
  • In April 2018, CITZ launched the first public-facing service with the BC Services Card, partnering with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training (AEST) to deliver StudentAid BC services
  • The province is seeing a huge demand for the card, with more than 90% of British Columbians as current Cardholders

“This is a pivotal moment in the lifecycle of the BC Services Card,” said Sophia Howse, Executive Director, BC Provincial Identity Information Management Program. “We are excited to unlock the true value of the card by delivering trusted digital services to businesses, citizens, and the broader public sector.”