Transport Canada Digital Signature Pilots - Pilotes de signatures numérique à Transports Canada

Digital (or electronic) signatures is not a new technology by any stretch of the imagination, but it is something that has seen slow adoption in many GC departments. Transport Canada is moving forward with a wide ranging adoption of digital signatures starting with "offline" (form-based only, e.g. PDF or Office document) pilots and in later phases, moving on to "online" signatures that are created within systems and solutions.

Introduction to Digital Signatures

As part of Transport Canada's Digital Transformation, we have set out to create a modern, inclusive workforce that concentrates on four aspects: People, Culture, Tools and Workplace.

Digital Signatures is a priority within the larger objective of a paperless (or less-paper) workplace that is greener and sustainable for the environment. Transport Canada's multi-phased strategy for the adoption of digital signatures is focused on transforming end-to-end business processes as opposed to replacing wet signatures by digital equivalents.

Three main questions are asked to business process or form owner that wishes to adopt digital signatures:

1. Do you have the legal authority to ask for a digital signature?
2. What is your process or form's level of assurance?
3. Does the signature add any value to the process or can another action undertaken by the user be considered as equivalent to the signature?

In the section below, employees will be able to find guidance and documentation for Digital Signatures at Transport Canada.

Guidance and documentation

Adoption Strategy:

• SI - EA - DIGITAL_SIGNATURE - ADOPTION_STRATEGY (ENGLISH)

• SI - EA - DIGITAL_SIGNATURE - ADOPTION_STRATEGY (FRANCAIS)

Guidance:

• RDIMS-#15389743-SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_GUIDANCE_(ENGLISH)

• SI - EA - DIGITAL SIGNATURES - GUIDANCE (FRANCAIS)

FAQs:

• RDIMS-#15398723-SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_FREQUENTLY_ASKED_QUESTIONS_(ENGLISH)

• SI - EA - DIGITAL_SIGNATURES - FREQUENTLY_ASKED_QUESTIONS (FRANCAIS)

User Guides:

• RDIMS-#15397429-SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_ACROBAT_USER_GUIDE_(ENGLISH)
• SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_ACROBAT_USER_GUIDE_(FRANCAIS)]

• RDIMS-#15413881-SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_MICROSOFT_OFFICE_USER_GUIDE_(ENGLISH)
• SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_MICROSOFT_OFFICE_USER_GUIDE_(FRANCAIS)]

• RDIMS-#15402915-SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_FOXIT_PHANTOMPDF_USER_GUIDE_(ENGLISH)
• SI_-_EA_-_DIGITAL_SIGNATURES_-_FOXIT_PHANTOMPDF_USER_GUIDE_(FRANCAIS)]

Pilots

In the table below, you can find a list of processes or forms that have adopted digital signatures. This list will be quarterly updated by the Digital Services Directorate but any Transport Canada employee may update the list with their own successes in the adoption of Digital Signatures.

Process or form	Type of digital signature used	Time saved	Contact
Network Service Request	Click-through	TBD	TBD
Letter of Offer	Click-through	TBD	TBD
Specimen Signature Card	Secure PKI	TBD	TBD
Special Flight Operation Certification (Complex & Simple)	Adobe Fill & Sign	TBD	TBD