Human Resources Legislative Update

Regulatory Amendments Relating to End of Mandatory Issuance of SIN Cards Now in Force

Human Resources Legislative Update

Regulatory Amendments Relating to End of Mandatory Issuance of SIN Cards Now in Force

Date: May 8, 2013

Social Insurance Number Regulations made under the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act, which include Consequential Amendments to the Employment Insurance Act Regulationscame into force on April 30, 2013.

Among other things, these Regulations align the regulatory framework with legislative changes enacted in the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (“JGLPA”) which end the mandatory issuance of Social Insurance Number (“SIN”) cards (cards may continue to be issued on a discretionary basis). Operationally, this will be achieved by March 31, 2014. As previously reported, the relevant provisions in the JGLPA regarding the end of the mandatory issuance of SIN cards came into force on March 1, 2013.

Under these changes, the SIN will still be required by employers, but there may be no physical SIN cards. SIN cards which are already in circulation will remain valid.

Regulations Amending the Canada Pension Plan (Social Insurance Numbers) Regulations, made under the Canada Pension Plan, also align these Regulations with the legislative changes which end the mandatory issuance of SIN cards.