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Our Story

The Original Vision

Canada’s Interoperability Lab for Digital Identity

Digital Trust Canada represents the natural evolution of the Digital Trust Laboratory of Canada (DTLab), which was founded in 2020 as Canada’s interoperability lab for digital identity solutions.

Established by founding entities DIACC (Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada) and In-Sec-M, DTLab was created to be the neutral testing ground where organizations could validate their digital identity solutions and ensure interoperability across different systems.

After successfully completing its mission as Canada’s interoperability testing laboratory, DTLab’s work laid the foundation for something greater. In 2025, this foundation becomes Digital Trust Canada – repositioned to help enable the federated data infrastructure that secure, sovereign data sharing across all sectors of the economy will require.

2020

Digital Trust Laboratory of Canada established as an interoperability lab for digital identity

  • Initiated research into digital identity and verifiable credentials
  • Founded by DIACC and In-Sec-M as a neutral testing facility
  • Original vision: Canada’s interoperability lab for identity solutions
  • Established in Gatineau, Quebec as a non-profit organization

2021

Building Foundations

Developing core capabilities and establishing partnerships

  • Established partnerships with government agencies
  • Launched capacity building programs for digital identity
  • Developed assessment frameworks for organizations
  • Created training programs for digital trust professionals

2022

Pilot Projects

Testing and validating digital trust solutions

  • Built community of practice across sectors
  • Deployed Digital Trust Testbed (DTT) for solution validation
  • Conducted successful government pilot projects
  • Advanced interoperability testing

2023

Scaling Impact

Expanding reach and preparing for national deployment

  • Prepared for transition to operational infrastructure
  • Expanded partnerships with public and private sector organizations
  • Validated enterprise-grade solutions
  • Established governance frameworks

2024

Legacy Chapter

DTLab completes its mission as Canada’s interoperability testing laboratory

  • Prepared transition to operational infrastructure model
  • Successfully validated multiple digital identity solutions
  • Deployed a national digital credentials training and assessment program
  • Completed final research and pilot projects

2025

Digital Trust Canada – National Convener

Convening Canada’s digital trust and data infrastructure ecosystem

  • June 2025: DTLab becomes Digital Trust Canada, with a new mission to convene Canada’s digital trust ecosystem
  • November 2025: designated the official Gaia-X Hub Canada
  • Convene members across sectors to address digital trust challenges collaboratively
  • Focused on federated trust and active participation in the global Gaia-X ecosystem

2026

From Convening to Practice

Putting digital trust into practice with partners

  • Independent assessments of digital credential and digitally signed document solutions, on a renewed test bench
  • Active role in the global Gaia-X ecosystem: seats on the Policy Rules Committee and the new International Advisory Board
  • Scoping a demonstrator for interoperability between trust frameworks, in Canada and internationally
  • Convening industry and international partners on federated trust, at national and international forums

Building on Proven Success

From interoperability testing to comprehensive infrastructure

Years of Research

Building on DTLab’s extensive research into digital identity, interoperability, and trust frameworks

Sector Validation

Interoperability testing and pilots with public and private sector partners

Canadian Reach

Partnerships with public and private sector organizations

Acknowledging Our Founders

Digital Trust Canada’s journey began with the vision and commitment of our founding organizations

DIACC

Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada

Leading the development of Canada’s digital identity ecosystem through standards, frameworks, and collaboration.

In-Sec-M

Security and Technology Solutions

Providing expertise in security, technology implementation, and digital transformation initiatives.