Two Alberta Hutterite Colonies have lost their chance to fight a provincial law requiring them to be photographed for driver's licences.

The Three Hills Colony and the Wilson Colony near Lethbridge have resisted photo licences based on religious grounds. 

The Supreme Court of Canada will not let the group re-argue their case. Canada's top court ruled 4-3 in favor of the Provincial Government in a decision that became a showdown between security concerns and freedom of religion.

The Hutterites argued that if they were unable to obtain their driver's licences, their communal lifestyle would be threatened. The Province said universal photo requirements would minimize identity theft and fraud.