March 8, 2001

Mandatory Photo Driver’s Licence

SGI is following the lead of virtually every other jurisdiction in North America by introducing a mandatory photo driver's licence for Saskatchewan residents.

Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Doreen Hamilton joined SGI in announcing the program which will assist in the prevention of sales of liquor to minors.

"In my role as the Minister Responsible for Liquor and Gaming, I am very pleased to see SGI introduce this initiative today," Hamilton said. "This is a major step forward in dealing with the on-going concern of minors accessing alcohol. This new photo driver's licence is a very positive additional tool which will aid our efforts to control access to alcohol."

"SGI is pleased to introduce a more secure photo driver's licence for Saskatchewan residents," SGI President Larry Fogg said. "This will also benefit people travelling across Canada or who need photo ID if they are going anywhere in North America."

Saskatchewan's new driver's licence will consist of two parts. One will be a new credit card style photo identification card with several security features that make it very difficult to counterfeit. The other part is the annual paper certificate which is currently in use.

To ease the transition for Saskatchewan motorists, the program will be phased in over two years, with the exception of new drivers and young people under 25. All drivers in these groups will be asked to have photo ID in the first year of the program. It will be mandatory for all drivers to have the new photo driver's licence by June 1, 2003.

The new program includes equipment and software that will be thoroughly tested in a pilot environment at seven SGI motor licence issuer offices in and around Regina this March. The roll out of equipment and training for all issuers throughout the province will be completed by the end of May.

Beginning June 1, 2001, drivers will be asked to have their photo taken, at no additional cost, when they renew their annual driver's licence at any of the 450 SGI motor licence issuers throughout Saskatchewan.

"Alcohol-related collisions continue to be one of the leading contributors to death and injury among Saskatchewan's youth and SGI is very happy their efforts in this area will assist in preventing the purchase and consumption of alcohol by minors," Fogg said.

For media inquiries only, contact:
Julianne Jack
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6907

For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.

For additional information, contact:
Lisa Thomson
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Regina
(306) 787-1721

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