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New Card's Improved Security Features To Combat Identify Theft
QUEEN'S PARK, Dec. 7 /CNW/ - The province's new, more secure driver's
licence card will help Ontarians avoid identity theft, Transportation Minister
Jim Bradley announced today.
"Today, we are making the Ontario driver's licence more secure to protect
against fraud, misuse and identify theft," said Transportation Minister
Jim Bradley.
Ontarians will receive the new card when they renew their driver's
licence, beginning in December. The new card incorporates leading edge
security features such as laser engraved photo/signature/personal information,
a fine line background, 2D barcode, micro and rainbow printing, secondary
photo and signature images and ultraviolet features among others.
These changes bring Ontario in line with new standards for North American
driver's licences developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators.
"The card also uses a secure platform that can be enhanced in the future
to include citizenship information," said Bradley. "The province is working
towards enabling Ontarians to use their driver's licence as a border-crossing
document."
Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), in Markham, is producing the card. The company
is a global leader in advanced technology for secure identification. G&D
produces secure document design for passports, licences, payment transactions
and currency for governments around the world.
"This new card demonstrates the McGuinty government's commitment to
security and safety," said Government and Consumer Services Minister
Ted McMeekin. "Making our driver's licence among the most secure in North
America showcases Ontario's ability to be a leader in consumer protection."
"The RCMP supports the use of enhanced security features in order to
protect the integrity of government-issued identity documents," said Inspector
B.R. Baxter, RCMP Commercial Crime Branch. "The use of such security features
will make the production of forged documents that much more difficult for
criminals and criminal organizations."
"This card is a real step forward in keeping Ontarians safe from the
growing scourge of identity thieves and fraudsters," said Elizabeth Hawley,
Executive Director of the Crime Prevention Association of Toronto. "I applaud
the government for getting this card into production."
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For further information: Media Contacts: David Oved, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1855; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158; Public Inquiries: (416) 235-4686 (GTA), 1-800-268-4686 toll free, 1-866-471-8929 TTY
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