The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications (CRTC) will transition from epass to Access Key. This is a government-wide initiative that will continue to provide Canadians with secure access to government online services.
As of November 15, 2010, you will be asked to upgrade from epass to Access Key the first time that you access a secure application. Upon agreeing, you will log in and subsequently use your Access Key credentials.
What you need to know about the transition:
- This is a government-wide initiative, not limited to the CRTC
- The transition requires a simple one-time upgrade
- Access key allows for the use of additional browsers
- Users will have increased flexibility for uploading files
- There will be no changes to the requirements and handling of the CRTC Activation Code
- Users will have to update their bookmarks
1. What is changing?
The Government of Canada is replacing the current epass Canada service. The new service, called Access Key, will continue to provide Canadians with secure access to government online services. By introducing Access Key, the government is ensuring that its online systems have the capacity to meet current and future needs.
2. What do I have to do?
This step is quite simple. As of November 15, 2010, when you login with your existing epass User ID and Password, you will be asked to accept the new Terms and Conditions of Use and re-enter your epass User ID and Password. The system will automatically create your new Access Key credential. Once your credential has been migrated, your existing User ID, Password and Recovery Questions will remain the same. Your user information will continue to be secure during the process of upgrading your epass to an Access Key.
3. So what happens when I have an epass and an Access Key?
For a temporary period, you will have, in effect, two credentials with the Government of Canada. Once all programs and services have transitioned over to the Access Key service by December 31, 2010, the epass service will no longer be available.
In the meantime, your epass credential and your migrated Access Key credential will be synchronized. This way if you change your password, update your recovery questions or perform other maintenance activities, both credentials will be updated at the same time.
Note that if you create a new Access Key credential, it cannot be used with existing epass applications.
4. What if I never had an epass?
If you never had an epass, you can simply create your own Access Key credential. Click on the “Register’ link and follow the steps to create an Access Key credential.
5. What is the increased file size flexibility for the Broadcasting and Telecommunications applications?
The file size limit will be significantly increased for Broadcasting and Telecommunications applications. In addition, you will be able to add multiple files in a single submission. With these changes, you may no longer need to zip files. However, zipping files will continue to be supported.
More information is available from the Access Key Resource Centre.
National Capital Region (Ottawa and surrounding area)
613-948-2929
Canada and the United States
1-866-372-7742
Text Telephone (TTY/TDD)
1-866-330-1890
1-866-893-0932
TTY (toll free) 1-877-909-2782
