Question Period Note: Digital Credentials Issue and Verify Request for Information (RFI)

Why is the Government proceeding with procurements for issuing and verifying digital credentials?

• Digital credentials are the secure, digital versions of physical documents, like work permits or boating licenses, that can be stored in a digital wallet.
• They offer a quicker, safer, more secure, and more cost-effective way to access government services digitally.
• Building this kind of system is complex and requires certain specialized tools and expertise we don’t have in-house. Based on international best practice, we are asking industry to help.
• A Request for Information (RFI) evaluated the capabilities of industry to develop such a system, and it formed the basis of the Invitation to Qualify (ITQ). We are now moving to next steps in our engagement of external contractors.
• This solution will give departments the ability to issue digital versions of the physical credentials they already provide today.

Digital credentials are the electronic equivalent of physical identification documents that can be held and shared through a digital wallet. They let individuals and businesses access services more conveniently and privately. Their use is completely voluntary.

Digital credential holders control what information is shared and with whom. There is no central repository of client information and the issuer and verifier are not aware of the holder's interactions with other parties. This is all controlled by the individual or business.

The Government of Canada is committed to establishing a modern and secure approach to help individuals and businesses to quickly and easily access federal services.

The Electronic Documents Act provides that a minister and any department may use an electronic means to create, collect, receive, store, or otherwise deal with information, including credentials, licenses, permits, etc. in verifiable digital format where the format is not already prescribed by law.

On October 28, 2024, the Government of Canada issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather information on prospective components for a common platform to issue and verify digital credentials. The Canadian Digital Service is the Technical Authority for the RFI and Shared Services Canada (SSC) is the Contracting Authority and were responsible for posting the RFI on CanadaBuys. An Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) was subsequently posted on CanadaBuys from March 17 to May 8, and will form a pool of qualified respondents for future procurements of digital credential technologies and services.

The target state goal is to provide common technical services to GC departments to issue and verify digital credentials that they themselves issue using their existing authority.

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