The 9 Digits

Here in Canada, one's identity is reduced to a miserable 9 digits called the Social Insurance Number(SIN). I am mystified by the origin of this SIN name. I do not believe I have any kind of insurance with the possession of this SIN. Or do I?

With this SIN, I now have an permanent identity here in Canada. However, on the back of the card, it says that the SIN card is not an identity card... So the SIN gives me an identiy, but cannot be used as an identity card.

Life will not be fun without complexities!