Manitoba government’s new digital wallet offers storage of personal data

By: Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press Posted:

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WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is launching a new app to let people store their health cards, and eventually other government documents, on their smartphones or tablets.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/01/2026 (250 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is launching a new app to let people store their health cards, and eventually other government documents, on their smartphones or tablets.

The Manitoba Digital Wallet is aimed at operating like Apple or Google digital wallets that come with mobile devices, except it will be issued by the Manitoba government.

Premier Wab Kinew says the program is voluntary and people will continue to be able to use physical health cards and other identification.

Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew speaks to media prior to the First Minister’s Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew speaks to media prior to the First Minister’s Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

The digital wallet will start with health cards, but the government is aiming to eventually expand it to include other cards and permits such as fishing licences.

As for privacy, the province says people will be able to choose what data to share.

It also says the government will not be aware of when someone uses the wallet unless the person uses it at a government agency.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2026

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