This evolution signals a shared commitment to strengthening the foundations of digital trust—enabling secure, inclusive, and resilient systems, and positioning Canada as a world leader in digital trust.
Key Highlights of the Transition:
- From DTLab to Digital Trust Canada: DTC has adopted a new identity and long-term vision that reflects its expanded role in advancing digital trust across sectors. Building on its foundation in the digital credentials sector—through adoption, capacity building, and assessments—Digital Trust Canada is now leveraging this work to deepen collaboration and strengthen the infrastructure, systems, and governance needed for secure, trusted digital engagement.
- An Expanded and Practical Mandate: Digital Trust Canada focuses on turning complex challenges into real-world, collaborative solutions—spanning the secure and responsible adoption of emerging technologies, privacy-first platforms, responsible data sharing, and the infrastructure needed to build national digital resilience and enable global interoperability.
- Neutral, independent, and cross-sectoral: As a technology-agnostic and politically neutral non-profit, Digital Trust Canada brings together governments, industries, academia, and civil society to align strategy, policy, and implementation—grounded in Canadian values of inclusivity, transparency, equity, and the public good.
- Renewed Leadership and Governance: A new transition Board and agile leadership — including respected leaders from industry and public policy—now guide the organization’s strategic direction during this scale-up phase.
- Backed by Public and Private Leaders: This transition was made possible through early investments and confidence from the Québec Government, the Government of Canada, Desjardins, and other founding partners. Today, strong private sector backing is driving the next phase of growth, as Digital Trust Canada continues to expand its collaborative efforts.
- Revamped Digital Presence – Coming Soon: Digital Trust Canada is launching a refreshed brand and website that reflect its expanded mandate and collaborative vision. Stay tuned.
Acknowledgments
Digital Trust Canada is built on the dedication, vision, and partnership of those who helped shape the Digital Trust Laboratory of Canada (DTLab). Their efforts laid the groundwork for this transition and continue to guide the path forward.
We thank our core funders—the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, and Desjardins—whose early investment enabled the development of key strategic assets, including the Digital Trust Testbench, capacity-building programs, technology assessments, and foundational work in digital credentials that now supports a broader national mandate.
The outgoing Board of Directors of DTLab played a key role in establishing the organization’s early direction and helped lay the foundation for this next chapter. Their leadership provided stability, foresight, and momentum for what comes next.
We also recognize the contribution of Bonnie Yau, who was instrumental in operationalizing DTLab’s founding vision and now serves as Executive Advisor during this transition. Along with our dedicated team, she helped drive meaningful progress with conviction and professionalism.
Thanks to the support of our Members and collaborators, the Lab grew into a trusted and inclusive platform. Their engagement was essential in shaping the vision that Digital Trust Canada now carries forward.
Their collective work was the backbone of DTLab’s success. Thanks to their efforts, Digital Trust Canada begins with a solid foundation.
Quotes
“Building digital trust is a collective effort—and Canada has what it takes to lead. As a national not-for-profit, we work across sectors to bridge vision and implementation—accelerating the systems, governance, and standards needed to power a trusted digital future for all”, said Michelle Robitaille, CEO of Digital Trust Canada.
“I am honoured to serve as Chair during this transition. Digital Trust Canada builds on a strong foundation and a bold vision. We’re focused on delivering solutions that strengthen trust and improve Canada’s global standing in secure digital infrastructure,” said Jack Noppé, tech industry veteran and Chair of the Transition Board.
“DIH is proud to support this evolution. We believe in building a collaborative ecosystem where purpose, policy, and practical implementation align. Digital Trust Canada is critical to making that possible,” said Roch Charbonneau, CEO of Digital Impact Holdings and Vice-Chair of the Transition Board.
“At DUC, we invest in initiatives that strengthen Canada’s critical infrastructure. Digital Trust Canada brings the neutrality and capabilities needed to embed trusted access, data sovereignty, and compliance across sectors,” said Marc-André Nadeau, CEO of Digital Ubiquity Capital and Treasurer of the Transition Board.
“It’s been a privilege to support this organization since its early days. I’m proud of its evolution and the collaborative spirit that continues to drive its mission. Together, we are strengthening Canada’s position in digital trust,” said Joni Brennan, outgoing Chair of DTLab and President of the Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC).
About Digital Trust Canada
Digital Trust Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization working to make digital trust a cornerstone of Canada’s digital future. Technology-agnostic, we collaborate with the public, private, academia and civil society sectors to strengthen the infrastructure to enable secure access, responsible data use, and sovereign data governance. Grounded in a mission to embed privacy, safety, and trust in every digital interaction, we help turn emerging technologies and global standards into real-world solutions that serve Canadians. Our goal: to enhance our national digital resilience and position Canada as a global leader in digital trust.
For More Information:
Michelle Robitaille, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Digital Trust Canada
📧 mrobitaille@dtc-cnc.org
