Log-in Services
On this page
In general
- Why is the Government of Canada offering users a choice of log-in credentials?
- Are the Sign-In Partner credentials as secure as the ones issued by the Government of Canada?
- I am already enrolled with one Government of Canada service. Why do I have to provide basic identity information again to enroll in services with other departments?
About using a Sign-In Partner
- What is a Sign-In Partner?
- Who are the Sign-In Partners?
- What are the advantages of using my Sign-In Partner credential?
- Is any of my personal information shared with the government if I use a Sign-In Partner?
- The financial institution I do business with is not on the list of Sign-In Partners. What alternative do I have to access government services online?
- I bank with one of the Sign-In Partners on your list, but I'm not registered to bank online. Am I still able to access Government of Canada services using my Sign-In Partner?
- My Sign-In Partner knows who I am so why do I still have to provide my basic identity information to enroll in the Government of Canada service?
About GCKey
- What is GCKey?
- Why has the Government of Canada introduced GCKey?
- How do I get a GCKey?
- Can I use the same GCKey to access several services?
- What is two-factor authentication (2FA) and how do I set it up?
- Who has access to the information I submit when I register for a GCKey?
- Where can I find more information about GCKey?
- What if I have a technical issue with GCKey?
In general
1. Why is the Government of Canada offering users a choice of log-in credentials?
By offering a choice of 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. Are the Sign-In Partner credentials as secure as the ones issued by the Government of Canada?
Yes. The same authentication (or log-in) process and security requirements are used for the Sign-In Partner credentials and the government-branded credential called GCKey. Your privacy is respected in that no personally identifiable information such as name, birth date, etc. is exchanged during the authentication process.
3. I am already enrolled with one Government of Canada service. Why do I need to provide basic identity information again to enroll in services from other departments?
Each government service requests your personal information based on their specific requirements and to determine eligibility or entitlement. The Government of Canada must adhere to the Privacy Act and other legislation that restrict the information that can be shared between departments and agencies.
About using a Sign-In Partner
1. What is a Sign-In Partner?
Sign-In Partners are private sector companies and organizations that have partnered with Interac® sign-in service to enable their customers to use their online credentials (e.g. card numbers or usernames and passwords) to access Government of Canada services.
2. Who are the Sign-In Partners?
There are currently twenty-one private sector organizations that have partnered with Interac® sign-in service.
These are:
- Affinity Credit Union
- Alberta Treasury Branches
- BMO Financial Group
- Caisse Alliance
- CIBC
- Coast Capital Savings
- Conexus Credit Union
- Connect First Credit Union
- Desjardins Group
- Libro Credit Union
- Meridian Credit Union
- National Bank of Canada
- RBC Royal Bank
- Scotiabank
- Servus Credit Union
- Simplii Financial
- Tangerine
- TD Bank Group
- UNI
- Vancity
- Wealthsimple
It is anticipated that other Sign-In Partners will be added in the future, so keep checking the list of Sign-In Partners when you log in to access Government of Canada services.
3. What are the advantages of using my Sign-In Partner credential?
Your existing credentials, such as your online banking credentials, are familiar as you may already use them on a regular basis. Using your credential from one of the Sign-In Partners to access government services is convenient as you don't have to remember a different User ID and password.
The safeguarding of Canadians' information online is a priority for the Government of Canada, and measures have been put in place to ensure secure online access which respects privacy.
Remember that when you use a Sign-In Partner, none of your banking or personally identifiable information is communicated to the government service you are accessing, and the Government of Canada does not know which Sign-In Partner you have used. Similarly, no information about the government service being accessed by the user is shared with the user's Sign-In Partner.
4. Is any of my personal information shared with the government if I use a Sign-In Partner?
No. Your personal information, such as name, address, etc. is not shared when you use a Sign-In Partner.
The technology is designed in such a way that the Government of Canada will not know which Sign-In Partner you have used. Similarly, the Sign-In Partner will not know which government service its customer has accessed. Also, the credential broker which facilitates this interaction, will not know the identity of the individual or business.
5. The financial institution I do business with is not on the list of Sign-In Partners. What alternative do I have to access government services online?
Individuals who do not have a credential (e.g. username and password) with one of the Sign-In Partners can use the government-issued credential, GCKey.
It is expected that other Sign-In Partners will be added in the future, so keep checking the list of Sign-In Partners when you log in to access Government of Canada services.
6. I bank with one of the Sign-In Partners on your list, but I'm not registered to bank online. Am I still able to access Government of Canada services using my Sign-In Partner?
To log in using a Sign-In Partner, you must be registered for online banking access. Contact your bank or financial institution for assistance.
7. My Sign-In Partner knows who I am so why do I still have to provide my basic identity information to enroll in a Government of Canada service?
The Sign-In Partner does not provide any identity information to the Government and simply validates your username or card number and password. Each government service requires your personal information based on their specific needs and to determine eligibility or entitlement.
About GCKey
1. What is GCKey?
A GCKey is a unique electronic credential (username and password) that allows you to communicate securely with online government services. The Government of Canada, as the service provider, issues these credentials to individuals so they can access government online services.
2. Why has the Government of Canada introduced GCKey?
GCKey is a Government of Canada service that issues credentials (username and password) that are used to access (or log in to) federal government services online. The GCKey service can be used by clients who do not have, or choose not to use, a credential they may have with one of the Sign-In Partners.
3. How do I get a GCKey?
To register or sign up for a GCKey, go to the Government of Canada website that you would like to access and click on the “Sign in or create an account with GCKey" button when you are presented with the log-in choice.
4. Can I use the same GCKey to access several services?
Yes, you can use the same GCKey credential to access all available online services, with the exception of services offered by the Canada Revenue Agency. Using the same credential to access many services is convenient, as you don't have to remember several usernames and passwords.
5. What is two-factor authentication (2FA) and how do I set it up?
Two-factor authentication is a security mechanism that prompts you to provide two authentication factors to access your account. See Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – FAQ for more information.
Everyone who accesses My Case via a GCKey must set up 2FA. See Registering for two-factor authentication (2FA) for information on this process.
6. Who has access to the information I submit when I register for a GCKey?
The GCKey service does not share your registration information with any third party. The information you provide is held by the Government of Canada and is protected under the Privacy Act.
7. Where can I find more information about GCKey?
You can find more information by visiting the GCKey Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
8. What if I have a technical issue with GCKey?
You can access the GCKey help topics page.