Canadian auto insurance card: the pink slip, digital proof and what each province allows
Quick summary
Your auto insurance card, called the pink slip or pink card in Ontario and Alberta, is your proof that your vehicle is insured. Ontario has allowed electronic proof since September 5, 2019, and an Alberta article says it is allowed there too. For other provinces we could not confirm, so ask your insurer. To see how much a policy costs, read car insurance cost in Canada.
Checked November 10, 2026. Main source: Insurance Bureau of Canada statement on Ontario electronic pink slips (published September 5, 2019, read November 10, 2026). See all 3 sources.
Key facts
- Ontario
- Electronic proof allowed since September 5, 2019, on a phone or tablet
- Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, September 5, 2019
- Alberta
- Electronic pink slips allowed. Paper is still available
- Source: Rates.ca, no date shown
- British Columbia
- Owner's Certificate of Insurance can be printed from My ICBC
- Source: ICBC, no date shown
- Other provinces
- Not confirmed. Ask your insurer
- Source: Our research
What the card is
It is the paper or electronic slip your insurer gives you as proof that your vehicle has insurance. In Ontario and Alberta it is called the pink slip or pink card. In British Columbia, ICBC calls the document your Owner's Certificate of Insurance.
When your policy starts or renews you get a new one. Keep the current one where you can reach it, and ask your insurer what your province requires.
Sources: Insurance Bureau of Canada statement on Ontario electronic pink slips (published September 5, 2019, read November 10, 2026); ICBC: Print your insurance documents (no date shown, last confirmed November 10, 2026).
Province by province: what we could and could not confirm
We list only what we could read. "Not confirmed" means we could not find or read a reliable source, so it does not mean the answer is no.
| Province | What we found | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Drivers can show proof on a smartphone or tablet instead of only a paper pink slip. It took effect immediately on announcement | IBC statement, September 5, 2019 |
| Alberta | Electronic pink slips can be used as proof. Paper pink slips are still available | Rates.ca article, no date shown |
| Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador | The same Alberta article says these two provinces allow showing proof on a smartphone | Rates.ca article, no date shown |
| British Columbia | ICBC lets you print your Owner's Certificate of Insurance from My ICBC. The page does not say whether a phone copy is accepted | ICBC page, no date shown |
| Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, PEI and the territories | Not confirmed | We could not read a reliable source |
Sources: Insurance Bureau of Canada statement on Ontario electronic pink slips (published September 5, 2019, read November 10, 2026); Rates.ca: Alberta announces approval of electronic pink slips (article shows no date, read November 10, 2026); ICBC: Print your insurance documents (no date shown, last confirmed November 10, 2026). A news article is not a provincial rule, so confirm with your insurer before you rely on a phone copy.
What to keep in the car
- Keep a paper copy in the glove box. It works if your phone dies, which is our advice and not a rule.
- Save a PDF on your phone too, in a place you can open without a signal.
- Check that the policy number, the vehicle and the dates on it are right when you get it.
- If you cannot find your card, ask your insurer or broker for another one. In BC, sign in to My ICBC to print it.
If your card is not the issue and the price is
Many people searching for this are also renewing. These guides explain what moves the price.
Questions people ask
Is a digital car insurance card legal in Canada?
In Ontario, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said on September 5, 2019 that drivers can show electronic proof. An Alberta article says it is allowed there. We could not confirm other provinces, so ask your insurer.
What is a pink slip?
It is the common name in Ontario and Alberta for the card that proves your vehicle is insured.
Do I still need a paper copy?
The Alberta article says paper pink slips are still available. A paper copy is a good backup, but that is our advice and not a rule.
How do I get a new card in British Columbia?
ICBC says you can sign in to My ICBC, open your current policy and download the document as a PDF to print. An Autoplan broker can help if you cannot.
What happens if I cannot show proof?
We could not find a source for the penalty in each province, so we do not give one. Contact your insurer or broker right away.