Trusted access to digital services
People in Canada expect easy, secure, and trusted access to online services — including when they interact with government. The Government of Canada is working on a unified approach to online sign-in and digital credentials that will allow people to quickly and securely access services.
To make this happen, the Canadian Digital Service (CDS), a part of Service Canada, is building platforms that will support access to seamless and secure digital services in Canada:
- GC Sign in
- GC Issue and Verify
GC Sign in
The Government of Canada currently offers more than 270 online services. Canadians use more than 60 different systems to access those services. And every time you use one of those 60 sign-in systems, you need to create and remember different usernames and passwords and re-enter the same information if you want to verify your identity (or "prove who you are") online. The process of re-entering personal information every time you sign up for a service is time consuming and frustrating.
The GC Sign in platform will simplify this process. GC Sign in will be a secure, inclusive and user-friendly sign in experience that only requires people to prove their identity once to access all Government of Canada services, rather than needing to prove who they are every time they access a new service.
It’s similar to logging in to your online banking. Once you’ve signed in, you will be able to access different services without needing to verify your identity multiple times.
GC Issue and Verify
The GC Issue and Verify platform will give government departments the ability to issue digital versions of the physical credentials they already provide today, like work permits and boating licenses. Instead of only having physical credentials in their wallets, people will also be able to securely store their digital credentials on their mobile devices. They can share them online or in-person when needed, making it easy for departments, organizations, and businesses to validate their information.
Many of us already use digital credentials without realizing it. For example, when we go to a concert, we may rely on a digital ticket stored on our mobile device instead of using a printed ticket. People can choose to use these digital options or continue to use traditional physical methods of verification, like the physical concert tickets.
Benefits
These platforms are:
Optional
Using these platforms is completely voluntary. People can choose to keep accessing their services the way they prefer, such as over the phone or in-person at Service Canada offices.
Secure
Behind the scenes, advanced tools will monitor for unusual activity, from suspicious sign-ins to unauthorized access attempts. With one secure system, we can reduce fraud risks and safeguard against cyber threats.
Unlike a physical ID card, you cannot misplace digital credentials. If you lose or replace your mobile device, you can confirm your identity and reinstall your digital credentials.
Privacy-protecting
CDS is working closely with privacy experts to design a service that’s consistent with the Privacy Act and the Department of Employment and Social Development Act.
People who use digital credentials can choose what personal information gets shared with governments, organizations, and businesses and only that information will be shared. Every step will clearly explain what personal information is collected, how it will be used, and require express consent before sharing.
Convenient
These platforms will help people spend less time navigating red tape and more time focusing on what matters.
With one front door and one profile, people will be able to access federal services without having to create and manage multiple accounts.
Adopting a tell-us-once approach means that people don’t need to repeat the steps of sharing personal information with different services, if they choose. This can speed up the processing of applications, giving quicker access to the services they need and want.
Accessible
From rigorous testing to inclusive design, the platforms are designed to be user-friendly for people with different technical skill levels and compatible with assistive technology.
What’s next
CDS is committed to working in the open to design and deliver trusted, secure services. This means sharing progress as these platforms are developed.
In the coming months, CDS will work with partner departments to test features for GC Sign in and GC Issue and Verify. Like all digital products, CDS will be taking an incremental approach, gathering feedback from people to improve the platforms. This ensures we’re building platforms that meet the needs of service providers and the people using their services.
Contact us
The goal is to create a future where the Government of Canada delivers the level of service Canadians expect and deserve in a digital age. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please get in touch.
Visit CDS’s jobs page for opportunities if you want to be a part of building these platforms.
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