In Canada, GCkey stands for "Government of Canada Key." It is an online authentication credential provided by the Canadian government that allows individuals to securely access various government services and information through online portals.

The GCkey serves as a login method for various official websites and applications, including those related to immigration, taxes, benefits, and other government services. It is a secure and convenient way for Canadians and those immigrating to Canada to interact with government agencies and access important resources.

When individuals create a GCkey account, they are assigned a unique username and password, which they can use to sign in to participating government websites. This login information ensures that the user's identity is authenticated, providing a secure environment for accessing sensitive information and completing essential transactions.

The GCkey is an important component of the Canadian government's efforts to enhance digital services and streamline access to various online resources. It simplifies the process of interacting with government agencies, reduces paperwork, and enables individuals to manage their affairs efficiently from the comfort of their homes or offices.

It's worth noting that the GCkey is distinct from another government authentication method known as "CRA My Account" or "My Service Canada Account." While both serve similar purposes, they are used for different government services. The GCkey is typically used for various government portals, whereas "CRA My Account" is specific to the Canada Revenue Agency for tax-related matters, and "My Service Canada Account" is used for Employment and Social Development Canada services.

GCkey Canada is an essential online authentication tool provided by the Canadian government, enabling secure access to a wide range of government services and information. It plays a pivotal role in simplifying the way Canadians and immigrants interact with government agencies, making essential transactions more accessible and efficient.

Accessing a Pre-Saved Application with a GCKey

An email will be sent to the Primary Contact's provided email address after the application has been successfully saved on the Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) public website. Please keep this email safe, as it contains the information (web link) necessary to access your stored application.

To access your stored application via the email link, you will need to sign in using the GCKey service offered by the Canadian government for added security. To access and communicate securely with online Government of Canada programs and services, you will need a GCKey, which is essentially a username and password.

Remember that only your GCKey will have access to the saved application form after it has been accessed. Each application you submit to WD should use a unique GCKey that you generate yourself. If multiple people in your business need access to the same application, generate a separate GCKey for each one. 

Sharing the GCKey is at your company's responsibility and discretion in the case that another employee needs access to the saved application. Therefore, we do not advise using the Sign-in Partner method, which involves partnering with financial institutions, but it is an option for individuals who desire it.

Explanations with Detailed Steps

1. To access a previously stored application, you must first access the email delivered to the application's principal contact after saving.

Please contact a WD regional office if the Primary Contact has yet to receive their stored email within 24 hours.

2. Then, in the email , select the Application Retrieval Link to access your previously submitted application.

3. Click on "Continue to GCKey"

4. Go to step 5 to sign in with a GCKey you already have. To make a new GCKey, go to step 6.

5. If you already have a GCKey, you can enter your "Username" and "Password" on this page and then click "Sign In." (Keep going to step 11.)

6. Press the "Sign Up" button on the right if you don't have a GCKey or if you want a GCKey that is only for a certain tool or program.

7. Read the Terms and Conditions of Use and agree to them.

8. Give yourself a Username, then click "Continue."

Note: The Username Checklist will help you develop a good name for your account.

Avoid using things like your name, SIN number, mailing address, and email address.

If you forget your username, you will need to get a new GCKey and restart your app. Make sure to write down your GCKey login information and keep it somewhere safe.

9. Make a password, enter it again to make sure, and click "Continue."

Note: The Password Checklist will help you make a password that works.

If you forget your password, you can only get it back if you know your account.

Make a note of your GCKey login information and put it somewhere safe.

10. Make your own questions, hints, and solutions for recovering your password. Then click the "Continue" button.

Note: If you forget your password, you will need to enter your username and answer the following questions to get a new one. WD is not able to help with this. Make a note of your GCKey login information and put it somewhere safe.

On the right side of the screen, the recovery question, answer, and tip are shown to help users.

11. GCKey sign-in and generation are done. If you've got:

• Just made a GCKey, click "Continue" to move on.

• Click "Continue" when you're done signing in with an existing GCKey.

12. You can now go to your saved program and make changes to it.

To send your application to WD, you must click the "Validate/Submit" button at the top of the registration form. An application that has been "saved" but not submitted will be considered ineligible for funding.

What makes GCKey different from IRCC?

In GCKey, you have to fill out pdf forms, print them, sign them, and then send them again after signing them. The new IRCC portal, on the other hand, only requires you to fill out a long web form, which is easier and requires fewer papers to upload.

What is a GCKey?

A GCKey is a unique electronic ID (username and password) that lets you use online government services in a safe way. As the service provider, the Government of Canada gives these keys to people so they can use online government services.

Why did the Canadian government come up with GCKey?

GCKey is a service provided by the Government of Canada that issues user IDs and passwords for accessing federal government websites. Clients who don't have or don't want to use a password they may have with one of the Sign-In Partners can use the GCKey service.

What do I do to get a GCKey?

To register or sign up for a GCKey, go to the Government of Canada website you want to use and hit "Continue to GCKey" when you're asked how you want to log in.

Can I use my GCKey to get into more than one service?

Yes, You can use the same GCKey to access all online services except for the ones offered by the CRA. Using the same username and password to get into many services is easy because you don't have to remember a lot of different ones. You can use one of the Sign-In Partners or sign up for a CRA User ID and password to access the CRA's login services.

Can I use my GCKey to get into all of the online government services?

You can use your GCKey to get into all online government services, except for those given by the Canada Revenue Agency. You must use one of the Sign-In Partners or sign up for a CRA User ID and password in order to use the CRA's services.

Who can see the information that I give when I sign up for a GCKey?

The GCKey service doesn't tell anyone else about the details you give when you sign up. The Federal Privacy Act makes sure that the information you give is kept safe by the Canadian government.

What should I do if I forget my username or password for my GCKey?

You can make a new GCKey password if you forget the one you had before.

• Go to the GCKey sign-in page.

• After you answer the password recovery questions you set up when you signed up for a GCKey, you can make a new password.

You can get your GCKey username back if you have lost it.

• Go to the GCKey sign-in page.

• Click "Forgot your username?"

• Type in the email address that is linked to your account.

• This email will get your login.

You have to make a new GCKey if you lost your email. If you make a new GCKey, you can add an application to your new account and then use the application.

How do I change the passphrase for my GCKey?

If you use GCKey to sign in, you can change your password after you're in. To change your password, you need to enter your current password and then make and confirm a new one.

Your password must be:

• Be between 8 and 16 characters long and contain at least one capital letter, one lowercase letter, and one number.

• Not be made up of 3 or more characters in a row from your nickname.

If you forget your password, you can also change it.

What happens if I don't want to use my GCKey anymore?

If you don't want to use your GCKey anymore, you can:

• Log in to your account.

• In the options page, click the "Revoke your GCKey" button.

• Enter your present password to confirm that you want to cancel your GCKey.

Remember that you can't use your GCKey for any Government of Canada service after you cancel it.

Why did the "Action" button go away from my GCKey account?

If your payment is turned down or you leave the payment screen without finishing the process, the action box will go away.

The button goes away to stop you from paying twice for the same app, but it should come back after 48 hours.

If your action button has been gone for more than 48 hours, please fill out a web form and choose "Technical difficulties" from the first drop-down choice.