@Westcoastmaven So true. Even getting my mom into the registry office (so small we had to leave her walker outside) was extremely difficult. The first time we went, we had to leave because the line-up was super long and there was nowhere for her to sit. She's in a small town where there are limited options for registry services. It will take at least three trips to get this ID card that she needs for access to her healthcare information online!

@TrueNorthSpice you want to know the weirdest thing, I went online to order a mail in ballot for my mom (a lot easier than chauffeuring my mom around to vote) and no ID required at all. Lol. I guess something could still go wrong and I'll update once I receive it in the mail, but...why do we even need these new drivers license and photo ID requirements? Something is up...

@TrueNorthSpice agreed.

@TrueNorthSpice correction, there's an option to vote without using govt-issued ID. At least that's the situation as of today! It's still confusing and the govt ID is still needed for other things, like accessing your online health info.

@newstik @TrueNorthSpice I don't know for sure, but I'd guess you'd have to provide documents showing the name change was done legally. They get to decide what is a valid document though, which is concerning with a provincial government controlled by separatists.

@lrt_writes That's a big "if" - there are many, many societal pressures on women to change their last name. It would take a while to shift that and in the meantime, who know what other rights would be eroded.* Sure, women can change their behaviour, but we still need to fight any patriarchal decisions that fail to acknowledge the reality of women's lives. *corrected - see my note about voting ID requirements

@nitrml My mom has lived in Alberta since 1978, pays her taxes, and has voted in every election - now the rules have changed to add this new ID requirement! Many are not aware of it. I wish we had the attitude of many other countries (besides the US) where voting is encouraged and even mandatory. * corrected - see my note about voting ID requirements.

@nitrml Yes, of course they do. This is politically-driven, ahead of a referendum to separate from Canada. The provincial govt (a sub--national govt) is controlled by the separatists and they are trying to confuse us ahead of the vote. *I corrected this just now.

@nomdeb Alberta's government came up with the idea of "one ID" for all - your driver's licence, health care card, and proof of citizenship. If you don't drive, you can get a generic ID card, but that also must include your health care number and citizenship status.

So, in effect you can't get any government ID renewed without switching to the one ID card version. You must prove citizenship or the card will be marked as non-citizen, which means you won't be able to access certain programs or vote. It's a diabolical workaround of people's rights. Our premier talks on a weekly basis with the US ambassador to Canada and I can't help but wonder if they don't share strategies.

CORRECTION: There’s a way around the voting issue. As of today, you can vote WITHOUT using govt issued ID. As of today...

See the Elections Alberta website and order your mail-in ballot for the easiest way to vote this October. Yay!

@huntingdon In my mom's case, she was born and married in another province in eastern Canada. I'm sure there are others in the same situation. The registry office (privatized service, btw) told her she would need to contact the other province for proof of marriage. I'm just so glad we found the original. Now, another visit in a week or so and fingers crossed they'll accept the 1964 paper document that is mostly handwritten.

@TrueNorthSpice That's terrible! F the patriarchy.

@TrueNorthSpice Oh, and I hear you about not changing your name. I never did and don't regret it, but for those women who choose to do so, it shouldn't put their democratic rights at risk.

@TrueNorthSpice It's a big change to the rules in Alberta and it hasn't been communicated. With only three months to the referendum on separation, it is barely enough time for people to source documents from other jurisdictions.

The advertising campaign says nothing about marriage certificates being required for women who've changed their names. This omission from the marketing doesn't seem accidental.

UPDATE: It appears Danielle Smith has not yet implemented her own version of the SAVE Act in Alberta.

Even Trump hasn't been able to get that legislation passed in the US.

Elections Alberta's website confirms that government ID is NOT required to vote. You need two pieces of ID, only one has to have your current address and a photo ID is not required.

So the Alberta law on government-issued ID disproportionately impacts women's rights by failing to recognize that women have been changing their names when they get married and will now need proof of marriage before they can get an ID or renew their drivers' licence, but voting rights remain intact. You need a photo ID to access your online healthcare info also.

And they don't mention anything about THAT in the fluffy advertising campaign they've launched about the new rules.

🤬

CORRECTION: My 81-year-old mom, who's a widow and has no photo ID was rejected today when we tried to get her a photo ID card. She's been living in Alberta since 1978 and has no current passport.

She had her birth certificate but because she changed her last name when she married in 1964, they could not issue her an ID card without her marriage certificate.

We did not know where she stashed her marriage certificate since she moved into a senior's home 3 years ago.

These new rules are going to confuse a lot of people. She needs photo ID to access her online healthcare info. If you are contacting another province for birth or marriage certificates, that will take time.

*Voting in the upcoming referendum does not require a govt-issued ID. There are other options. Phew!

Luckily for my mom, after searching through an old trunk, we found the original marriage certificate.

This UCP government is pure evil. *I stand by this statement.