Authentication Framework

In October 1998, the Minister of Industry announced details of the Government's cryptography policy. The policy states that the Government will not implement licensing regimes for certification authorities (CAs) or trusted third parties. Instead, the Government called for industry-led accreditation of CAs as a means of promoting sound business practices and building consumer confidence.

The policy responds to the need for the use of cryptographic technologies and related mechanisms in certain categories of electronic transactions that will provide ways to establish identity and privileges as well as ways to prove the origin, receipt and integrity of information. The use of electronic authentication, and associated services provided by a trusted agent, such as a CA, can provide such assurances about identity and information and thus reduce uncertainty in transactions between parties.

• Summary of Canada's Cryptography Policy
• Minister Manley Outlines Canadian Cryptography Policy
• Speaking Notes - Minister Manley on Canada's Cryptography Policy

Following this announcement, the Electronic Commerce Branch undertook a consultation program to explore, with stakeholders, how authentication services should evolve in Canada. Addressing the Trust Agenda (PDF - 93KB) a report on the consultations, was published in February 2001 and established the need for high-level set of principles to guide the development and use of authentication services in Canada.

A public/private sector working group was established shortly thereafter to develop the principles. In June 2003, the working group completed a set of draft principles and approved them for release as a Consultation Draft: Principles for Electronic Authentication (PDF - 241KB). Stakeholder views and comments on the draft principles (dated June 23, 2003) are currently being reviewed by the working group.

For more information see:

• Authentication Framework
• Authentication Principles
• Consultation Program
• International Dimensions
• Security Related Links
• Publications

For more information, please contact:

Jane Hamilton
A/Director, Electronic Commerce Policy
Electronic Commerce Branch
Industry Canada
20th Floor, 300 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON     K1A 0C8
Telephone: (613) 991-0049
Fax: (613) 941-1164