The Blueprint for Global Digital Trust: Bridging the EU and Canada's Legal Divide on Digital IDs and Credentials

Insights from Jon Shamah: A Global Perspective on Digital Identity and Transformation

A high-level workshop hosted in Ottawa, Canada, on October 6, 2025 took place, focusing on advancing digital collaboration, specifically regarding digital credentials and trust services, between the European Union (EU) and Canada. This event, which included policymakers and digital leaders, marked a significant step under the EU-Canada Digital Partnership and was informed by a new study comparing the EU and Canadian digital frameworks to identify areas for mutual recognition and interoperability. A reflection from Jon Shamah a co-author along with Keith Jansa, explains that while digital identity systems vary significantly across jurisdictions—notably due to differing legal traditions like the EU's Napoleonic law versus Canada's Common law—the foundational principles are aligned, creating a basis for cross-border interoperability. A key recommendation highlighted in the second source is using the UNCITRAL model as a flexible "middleware methodology" for regulatory alignment to bridge these differences and facilitate technical collaboration, though success ultimately depends on sustained political will.