Improving diversity and inclusion on driver’s licences

Islanders will now have the option to identify their gender on their driver’s licence.

The Prince Edward Island government has added the two new non-binary gender options of ‘gender not listed’ and ‘prefer not to say,’ which join the existing ‘male’ and ‘female’ options. The selection will appear on the licence as X, blank, M, and F respectively.

“Adding two non-binary gender options to our driver’s licence is an important step in advancing equal human rights for everyone, no matter the gender identity or expression of Islanders,” Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar said. “We are committed to supporting the LGBTQ2S+ community, transgender people, those transitioning, and anyone who does not identify as a male or female so all Islanders feel included."

While some other provinces and the federal government allow for an option to choose X or ‘gender not’ listed on identification, PEI is the first jurisdiction in Canada to allow for the option of ‘prefer not to say’ or blank.

“We, at PEERS Alliance, applaud this action by government to intentionally recognize trans and non-binary identities in public processes,” said Cybelle Rieber, Executive Director of PEERS Alliance. “Providing non-binary gender options on provincial government IDs will better reflect the diverse identities of Island citizens. Important actions, such as this, formally acknowledge the reality of gender diversity and prevent the systemic erasure of non-binary people.”

Media contact:
Katie MacDonald
katiemacdonald@gov.pe.ca