Intergovernmental Collaboration on Digital Trust and Credentials

Governance structure

Context

The Intergovernmental Collaboration on Digital Trust and Credentials is an initiative aimed at advancing the development and adoption of digital trust frameworks and verifiable credential technologies within Canada. The collaboration brings together governments to establish common standards, protocols, and best practices for digital credential management. Members share a Verifiable Data Registry, otherwise known as the CANdy Network.

On September 18, 2023, an Intergovernmental Agreement was signed between the government of Québec and the government of British Columbia.

The purpose of the Agreement is to determine the terms and conditions under which the parties may co-create deliverables to be implemented as part of their respective digital credential projects.

The Agreement provides for the establishment of two governance committees:

1. Governing Board
2. Steering Committee in support of the Governing Board

These committees are formed to oversee the implementation of the following deliverables:

1. The management and operation of the Verifiable Data Registry (VDR)^[1]
2. CANdy Network Governance Framework
3. Interoperability Guidelines

1. An interoperable ledger used by the Parties to prove the veracity, authenticity, and non-revocation of digital credentials. ↑

Governing Board

🚩 In accordance with clause 5.1 of the Intergovernmental Agreement, all signatory parties must nominate one representative from their respective jurisdictions to serve on the Governing Board.

As the governing body of the Intergovernmental Collaboration on Digital Trust and Credentials, the Governing Board is responsible for:

1. Approving the CANdy Network Governance Framework and its ancillary documents.
2. Approving the different iterations of the Interoperability Guidelines.
3. Delegating authority and responsibility to the Steering Committee in support of the Governing Board, the body responsible for executing the deliverables set out in the Intergovernmental Agreement.
4. Ensuring that the deliverables set out in the Intergovernmental Agreement are implemented in accordance with the approved work plan.
5. Approving the addition and removal of nodes. Note: members are not required to stand up CANdy nodes.
6. Promoting digital credential solutions across other Canadian jurisdictions and private-sector organizations.
7. Extending written invitations to interested governments to join the Intergovernmental Agreement.
8. Providing guidance on future areas of focus in relation to digital credentials solutions.

All decisions are deliberated and enacted following a unanimous agreement by all members of the Governing Board.

Steering Committee in support of the Governing Board

In accordance with clause 5.2 of the Intergovernmental Agreement, all Governing Board members must nominate two representatives from their respective jurisdictions to serve on the Steering Committee in support of the Governing Board.

The Steering Committee in support of the Governing Board is responsible for:

1. Developing, updating, and submitting to the Governing Board for approval the following deliverables:
   1. CANdy Network Governance Framework
   2. Interoperability Guidelines
2. Ensuring the integrity of the Verifiable Data Registry (VDR) and the balanced distribution of nodes among participating jurisdictions by making recommendations to the Governing Board regarding the addition and removal of nodes.
3. Facilitating the onboarding process for new members to the Intergovernmental Agreement, including instructing Trustees to promote the DID of a delegated individual, belonging to a newly joined member, to the role of Trustee.
4. Submitting recommendations to the Governing Board with regards to the management, operation, and maintenance of the Verifiable Data Registry (VDR).
5. Coordinating quarterly Governing Board meetings and defining the agenda, in collaboration with the Institute for Citizen-Centred Service (ICCS).
6. Providing updates to the Governing Board regarding the state of progress of the deliverables set out in the Intergovernmental Agreement.
7. Constituting working groups.
8. Maintaining a registry to reflect the mandates and jurisdictional representatives of the working groups and communities of practice.
9. Ensuring that all published documentation and amendments are available in both English and French.
10. Developing policies and procedures surrounding the review and approval of translated documents.

The Steering Committee members from each participating jurisdiction are responsible for:

1. Appointing the governed member roles for the CANdy Network production environment in accordance with their respective jurisdictional policies and procedures.
   1. Nominating at least three delegates to act as Trustees for the CANdy Network.
   2. Nominating delegates to act as Stewards for the CANdy Network.
   3. Nominating delegates to act as Network Monitors to monitor CANdy nodes.
   4. Nominating delegates to act as Endorsers for the CANdy Network.
2. Overseeing the onboarding and offboarding processes for the delegated roles in accordance with the policies outlined in the CANdy Network Governance Framework.
3. Updating the CANdy Network contact list to reflect personnel changes among the appointed governed member roles (i.e., Trustees, Stewards, Endorsers, and Network Monitors).
4. Issuing directives to appointed Trustees, Stewards, Network Monitors and Endorsers in accordance with the CANdy Network Governance Framework.
5. Selecting representatives from their respective jurisdictions to form the working groups.
6. Keeping abreast of developments, best practices, and new technologies discussed within the relevant communities of practice (CoP) in the field.
7. Informing their jurisdictional Governing Board member of pertinent updates regarding the roles of Stewards, Network Monitors, Endorsers, Issuers, and Trustees.
8. Informing their jurisdictional Governing Board member of pertinent updates regarding the activities carried out by the working groups.

Working Groups and Communities of Practice

Working groups

Working groups are formed at the direction of the Steering Committee and must report back to the Steering Committee and to their jurisdictional member representatives.

The working groups are comprised of dedicated professionals with specialized knowledge in relevant fields such as data management, cybersecurity, governance, and software engineering from each participating jurisdiction.

Through regular meetings, coordination, and adherence to established protocols, these working groups ensure that the different components inherent to digital credential solutions (i.e., verifiable data registry, digital wallets, communication protocols) remain up to date with evolving technological standards and maintain the highest levels of data integrity and security. These working groups also aim to promote interoperability across their respective digital credential solutions.

Communities of Practice (CoP)

The Intergovernmental Collaboration on Digital Trust and Credentials is also supported by communities of practice (CoP) in the field. These CoPs may function as informal sharing forums without formal deliverables. By bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, these communities of practice contribute to the advancement and maturity of digital credential solutions.

Active working groups and communities of practice are registered in a GitHub repository and updated as necessary by the Steering Committee in support of the Governing Board.

Intergovernmental Collaboration on Digital Trust and Credentials Governance Structure Schema