Yukon MLA wants government to modernize fake-looking driver's licences

Don Inverarity said he posted a classified newspaper ad looking for "horror stories you have experienced using your Yukon driver's licence" after hearing from several people that their so-called Mickey Mouse ID was being rejected in other jurisdictions.

"I'm hearing lots of horror stories about Yukon's drivers licences not being accepted as valid identification," Inverarity said.

Jennifer Taylor is one of the people who answered Inverarity's ad.

She recently returned from a motorcycle trip with her mother to New Orleans, where they were prevented from entering a casino because security personnel didn't recognize their driver's licences.

"The doorman said the IDs had to be fake because there's no such place as the Yukon. 'But we're on the map,' I said. But he said, 'Your (jurisdiction) isn't registered.' "

"I think this has to do with the cheap-looking ID," Taylor said. "An Alberta cop once stopped me and asked, 'What is this? It doesn't look like a driver's licence."'

Inverarity said he also heard from a man who was forced to return to a graduated licence in Alberta after he tried to change his Yukon driver's licence because the province's motor vehicles department would not recognize it.

"He lost out on getting work because of it," Inverarity said.

Inverarity wants to see the Yukon follow other jurisdictions in implementing identification that features laser-engraved photos, encrypted personal information, citizenship certification and micro printing.

Premier Dennis Fentie defended the territory's driver's licence, saying the Yukon Party is looking at implementing a new licence.

"We're waiting on a pilot project between B.C. and Washington (State) on extended driver's licences and the work is being done," Fentie said about the identification that could replace passports at land crossings between Canada and the United States.

Other provinces are also considering enhanced driver's licences with neighbouring states.

"We're not going to redesign our driver's licence today if it won't satisfy cross-border travel regulations," Fentie said.

As for Inverarity's quest to collect Yukon driver's licence "horror stories," the premier dismissed it as a cheap publicity stunt. (Whitehorse Star)