Alberta’s current license plate design is almost 25 years old and with the increase in population the province has experienced over the past decade, license plate numbers are running out. To properly address this issue, in 2007 the Alberta government launched an initiative to gather input directly from Albertans with regards to the colors, themes, slogans, etc. they would like to see make up the new design. More than 33,000 people took part and in 2008 the government decided they would use the feedback to create the new plate. The highly anticipated announcement of the finished product was scheduled for early 2009 with production slated to take place within the following months.
It has just been announced that this project has been temporarily put on hold in favour of the cost efficient approach of adding a fourth number to any new plates issued when the current number of available configurations run out. They are expected to run out this summer.
“It simply doesn’t make sense to me to commit millions of dollars to replace all plates in the province this year,” said Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk in a government Alberta issued media advisory. “However, it was very clear during our consultation that Albertans are very interested in their licence plate and would like to see the design updated. We plan to meet that commitment when the time is right,” she said. “A lot of great work has been done to gather input and develop ideas for a new design, and that work won’t be lost. We will be ready when it makes economic sense to introduce a new plate for the province – a plate that speaks to Albertans’ pride and makes use of the latest technology.”
The press release also stated Service Alberta is working with law enforcement officials, registry agents and other groups on the logistics of introducing these seven digit plates onto the roads of Alberta.
For more information visit www.licenceplate.alberta.ca.