OTTAWA, February 22, 2001 — In a demonstration of their countries’
commitment to encouraging electronic commerce and e-government, Canada and
the United Kingdom (UK) today signed a joint statement acknowledging their
shared vision and confirming their intent to co-operate on these two
important initiatives. To emphasize this commitment, the statement was
signed by two Canadian Ministers and two British Ministers using secure
digital technologies.
The two countries will collaborate closely to further the work of
international organizations to create an environment conducive to the growth
of e-commerce and the implementation of e-government in both countries.
“It is through collaborative efforts such as this that we cultivate a secure
environment for the growth of electronic commerce,” said Brian Tobin,
Minister of Industry. “By addressing key issues such as privacy, consumer
protection and security online, governments can help promote cross-border
electronic commerce and the growth of the information society
internationally.”
“Canada and the UK are world leaders in providing their citizens with
better, more convenient service by putting government on-line,” said
Minister Lucienne Robillard, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and
Minister Responsible for Infrastructure. “This agreement further
demonstrates our governments’ shared commitment to achieving our ambitious
agendas of leading the world in the implementation of e-government for the
betterment of our citizens.”
Canada and the UK recognize the need for international harmonization of
e-commerce policies. Both countries support measures to promote confidence
in the electronic marketplace, providing consumers and business with the
assurances they demand in order to conduct electronic transactions.
Co-operation on privacy, security, and market development are also part of
the bilateral action agenda.
The two countries place a high priority on transforming the way their
governments deliver services by adopting innovative, on-line service
delivery. By sharing information, best practices and experiences in
implementing e-government, Canada and the UK will ensure citizens in both
countries will benefit from more effective and efficient government service
delivery.
Furthermore, Canada and the UK agree to collaborate closely in international
fora including: the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development;
the G8 Digital Opportunities Task Force; the United Nations and
International Financial Institutions; the World Trade Organization and; the
Commonwealth.
The joint statement was signed electronically by both countries using
Canadian public key infrastructure (PKI) encryption and digital signature
technologies to demonstrate the simplicity of their use and governments’
confidence in the security and authenticity of electronic transactions. The
signing of the joint statement by both countries coincided with British
Prime Minister Tony Blair’s visit to Canada
Both Minister Tobin and Minister Robillard digitally signed the Joint
Statement with the use of Canadian technologies. Chrysalis ITS, an
Ottawa-based security company, supplied the token reader and token.
Entrust Technologies created the digital signature software and key
management software. Calgary-based Jawz Technologies provided the Systems
Integration for the signature and the key management services.
