Manitoba discarding enhanced IDs for U.S. entry

Manitoba Public Insurance will phase out twoidentificationcards that letpeopleenter the United States.

Due to a lack of interest, MPIis discontinuingthe enhanced driver's licences and enhanced identification cards sometime in 2022.

Manitoba was one of four provinces to introduce enhanced driver's licenseswhen the United States in 2009 mandated apassport orother secure identification for anyone entering the county by land or water.

However, each province haseither already phased out the card, or will. MPI says Manitoba and B.C. are thelast two provinces to offer an enhanced driver's license.

"Demand for these products has steadily declined over the past five years, indicating that each year fewer and fewer Manitobans see value in these cards," MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley said in an email.

Card use plummeting

Around 10,300 customers possess either of thesecards.Smiley said that number is dropping every year.

He explainedManitobansare using other forms of identification to cross the border by land or water, ranging from passports to aFAST card or NEXUS card.

Manitobans who possessthe enhanced driver's license could have usedit to enter the U.S.byland or water, although current border restrictions owing to the pandemic have stoppednon-essential travel at these points.

The basic identification card is designated for Manitobans who choose not to getor weren't eligible fora driver's license or the enhanced version. AnMPI document from 2009 said the card wouldinterestseniors, children and persons living with a disability.

Card holders can switch to either a basic driver's licence or identification card beforethe program ends.