EDMONTON, ALBERTA, December 12, 2008 - Alberta parents of newborns can now use a single application form to register their child's birth and apply for his or her Social Insurance Number (SIN). The joint initiative was announced today by the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State, Transport and Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service Alberta.
"This shows how our government is working in partnership with a provincial government to provide better services, in this case making it simpler for parents to access benefits for their children," said Minister Merrifield. "This partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta will streamline the birth registration and SIN application processes."
There are approximately 50,000 birth registrations in Alberta each year. The province requires the birth of every newborn to be registered with Service Alberta within 10 days.
With the Newborn Registration Service, after the birth registration is completed, the information will be sent electronically in a safe and secure manner to Service Canada, which is responsible for issuing SINs to Canadians. The child's SIN card will be delivered within fifteen business days at no cost to the applicant.
"Now, when Alberta parents register the birth of their newborn, they can also choose to apply for a Social Insurance Number," said Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service Alberta. "Using one form to access both provincial and federal services will be a benefit to families."
SIN application as part of the Alberta birth registration form is optional and complies with the provincial Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act ensuring the protection and security of all SIN information.
A SIN is required to access social benefits from the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta; such as a Registered Education Savings Plan, the Canada Learning Bond, the Canada Education Savings Grant, and the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Grant. Children will also need a SIN when they eventually apply for a job and pay income tax.
Service Canada is the Government of Canada's service delivery network. It brings a range of federal government services and benefits together to meet the needs of Canadians. Its goal is to provide easy access, personalized, one-stop service to more Canadians within their communities.
Service Alberta delivers a range of public services that touch the daily lives of Albertans and numerous support services for government ministries.
For more information on the Newborn Registration Service, parents can visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca
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This news release is available in alternative formats, on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone, or through a teletypewriter (TTY).
For more information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559
Service Alberta
Cam Traynor
Director of Communications
780-415-6051
To call toll free within Alberta, dial 310-0000
General Public :
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
ATS : 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca
JOINT SERVICE CANADA/SERVICE ALBERTA INITIATIVE
NEWBORN REGISTRATION SERVICE
The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta have established a partnership that will make life easier for parents of babies born in Alberta. The two levels of government have agreed to "bundle" certain services for newborns to make it simpler for parents to access benefits.
If you are a new parent, you can choose to use the Newborn Registration Service to register your baby's birth with the Government of Alberta and apply for your child's Social Insurance Number (SIN) in the same application form and at the same time. This new approach means you don't have to go to two separate government offices to get these important documents for your baby. The process is simple, convenient and secure.
Every birth in the province must be registered with Service Alberta within 10 days.
When your baby is born, your healthcare provider will give you a birth registration package containing the Registration of Birth form along with information about birth registration and the Social Insurance Number. If you need more details about birth registration, you can contact Service Alberta by phone at 1-780 427-7013 or by e-mail at vs@gov.ab.ca.
Once you have filled out the Registration of Birth form, you can give the application form to a designated hospital staff member or send it directly to Service Alberta. If you have requested a SIN card for your child, once the birth registration is completed, Service Alberta will send the necessary personal information electronically in a safe and secure manner to Service Canada, which is responsible for issuing SINs. Your child's SIN card will then be mailed to you within fifteen business days at no cost. Usually, if you've filled out the Registration of Birth form correctly, the entire process can be completed within three to four weeks.
Social Insurance Numbers are required for various Government of Canada and Government of Alberta programs and benefits, including the Registered Education Savings Plan, the Canada Learning Bond, the Canada Education Savings Grant, and the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Grant. In addition, your child will also need a SIN when he or she eventually applies for a job and pays income tax.
For more information on the Newborn Registration Service, parents can visit Service Canada online at servicecanada.gc.ca.
