General

1. Why is the Government of Canada offering users a choice of sign-in credentials?
2. What is a "credential"?
3. What is a "credential service provider"?
4. What is a "Government of Canada issued credential"?
5. What is the "Sign-In Partner" service?

1. Why is the Government of Canada offering users a choice of sign-in credentials?

By offering a choice of sign-in credentials, the government is making its online services more convenient for clients to access. Many individuals regularly use their online credentials for banking or paying bills, so being able to use the same credential to access government services online means one less username and password for clients to remember.

2. What is a "credential"?

"Credentials" are widely used to control an individual’s access to online information or services. Your online banking information (a bank card number or user name and password) is a common example of a credential.

The Government of Canada uses anonymous credentials to allow users to communicate securely with online Government of Canada services. An anonymous credential is one that does not contain any personally identifiable information.

3. What is a "credential service provider"?

Credential service providers (CSP) are government or non-government entities that issue and manage credentials (user names and passwords) assigned to their users. For example, financial institutions issue credentials to their customers so they can do their banking online.

The Government of Canada uses anonymous credentials to allow users to securely access online Government of Canada services. An anonymous credential is one that does not contain any personally identifiable information.

4. What is a "Government of Canada issued credential"?

Government of Canada-issued credentials are offered as another choice for users who cannot, or choose not to, use their bank credential. 

Government of Canada-issued credentials include the following:

• CRA user ID and password (For use at the CRA only)
• GCKey (For use at other government departments and agencies)

5. What is the "Sign-In Partner" service?

The Sign-In Partner service, called Interac sign-in service, is a credential broker service that acts as a bridge between the Government of Canada and participating credential service providers (Sign-In Partners). This service allows you to sign in using your online banking information if you have an account with one of the participating Sign-In Partners. It is expected that other financial institutions will be added in the future. Keep checking when you sign in to access Government of Canada online services.