Directive on the Business Number
1. Effective date
- 1.1This directive takes effect on April 1, 2018.
2. Authorities
- 2.1This directive is issued pursuant to section 3 of the Policy on Management of Information Technology.
3. Objectives and expected results
- 3.1The objective of this directive is to ensure that departments and agencies use the Business Number (BN) as the standard identifier of businesses for all transactions between the businesses and the Government of Canada.
- 3.2The expected results of this directive are as follows:
- 3.2.1Departments and agencies will use the BN as per this directive; and
- 3.2.2Departments and agencies will complete the requirements stipulated in section 4.1.1 of this directive no later than April 1, 2020.
4. Requirements
- 4.1The Chief Information Officer of departments and agencies is responsible for the following:
- 4.1.1Ensuring the use of the BN by their department or agency as the standard identifier of businesses for all transactions between the businesses and their department or agency, by no later than April 1, 2020; and
- 4.1.2Ensuring the recognition by their department or agency of the Canada Revenue Agency as the Issuing Organization for the BN.
5. Roles of other government organizations
- 5.1This section identifies the roles of other key government organizations in relation to this directive. In and of itself, this section does not confer any authority.
- 5.1.1Canada Revenue Agency is the designated Issuing Organization for the BN.
- 5.1.2Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is the federal lead in promoting the use of the BN.
6. Application
- 6.1This directive applies to the organizations described in section 2 of the Policy on Management of Information Technology.
7. References
- 7.1
Legislation
- 7.2
Related policy instruments
- Policy on Access to Information
- Policy on Government Security
- Policy on Information Management
- Policy on Investment Planning: Assets and Acquired Services
- Policy on the Management of Communications
- Policy on Management of Information Technology
- Policy on the Management of Projects
- Policy on the Management of Assets, Procurement and Projects
- Policy on Privacy Protection
- Policy on Results
- Policy on Service
- Policy on the Stewardship of Financial Management Systems
- TBITS 30: Business Number - Implementation Criteria
8. Enquiries
- 8.1For interpretation of any aspect of this directive, contact Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Public Enquiries.
- 8.2Individuals from departments should contact their departmental information technology group for any questions regarding this policy.
- 8.3Individuals from the departmental information technology group may contact DPPN@tbs-sct.gc.ca for interpretations.
- 8.4For information on BN adoption, contact the BN Adoption Outreach Team at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.