OALA’s Digital Signature
The digital signature from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) is a verified digital identity in the form of a signature certificate.
It confirms the civic identity and professional designation of the signer. Each time it is used, it validates that the signer has the right to practice in their jurisdiction in real-time. It thus ensures the integrity of the signed electronic documents.
Subscribe to a Digital Signature
| Media Support | Computer | Cloud-Based. Computer, phone, tablet (iPhone, Android, iPad, Mac) |
| Electronic Image of the Stamp | Included and downloadable. Get the stamp | Included and downloadable. Get the stamp |
| PDF signing tool (included for free) | ConsignO Desktop | ConsignO Desktop |
| Compatible signing tools (a subscription may be required) | On Windows or Mac computer, you can sign a PDF directly through ConsignO Cloud, ConsignO Desktop, Adobe Acrobat, BlueBeam and many more PDF tools | On any device, you can digitally sign through ConsignO Cloud Solo or ConsignO Cloud. Currently not possible to sign through Adobe Acrobat or BlueBeam (but a cloud signature can be validated) |
| Advantages | - Professional association and title included - Batch signing with ConsignO Desktop | - Professional association and title included - Mobile and tablet signing and AATL compliance (green checkmark by default) - Advanced signature appearance management |
| Software installation | Entrust Client, CertifiO Manager and signing tool | No software required |
| Certification | - Issued by the professional association. - Recognized by Microsoft® - Certified, audited and high-availability secured infrastructure | - Issued by the professional association. - Recognized by Microsoft® and Adobe® (AATL) - Certified, audited and high-availability secured infrastructure |
| Authentication | Password | Password. Phone required for two-factor authentication |
| Internet and mobile connectivity | Off-line signature with restrictions. No mobile phone required | Online signature only (Internet required) A valid Canadian or US mobile phone number required* |
* Please contact us for support in other countries.
CertifiO Desktop Volume Discount
$204
$193
$182
$171
$143
Practicing in More Than One Province
$0
$109
Electronic Image of the Stamp
OALA’s Digital Signature
- Issued after a face-to-face identity verification and the validation of your professional affiliation with OALA.
- Can only be applied by entering your personal password.
- Can be used within ConsignO Desktop, ConsignO Cloud, Acrobat Reader, Bluebeam Revu and many other PDF readers.
Electronic Image of the Stamp
- Downloadable from your account (learn how here).
- Including your name and OALA ID.
- Complementary with your digital signature*.

Solutions Built For Professionals & Their Specific Document Workflows
Digital Signature (.epf file)
Digital signature issued by OALA. Certifies the member’s identity and professional affiliation.
Professional Signature Tool
Digital signature software with advanced features and a PDF reader. Allows you to sign batches of documents in just a few clicks, and more. Included for free with your CertifiO Desktop signature.
Major Professional Advantages
AATL Digital Signature (Cloud)
Multi-platform digital signature hosted on a secure Cloud infrastructure. It is issued by OALA and certifies the signer’s identity and professional affiliation.
Signature Tool and PDF Reader
Web-based application for affixing a CertifiO Cloud digital signature onto a PDF to give it a high level of legal reliability. Perfect for small files and single signature projects. Included for free with your CertifiO Cloud signature.
Professional Flexibility
How to Sign Up in 4 Easy Steps
Subscription
Identity Verification
Approval
Activation
Step 1.1: Complete the Subscription Form and Pay Online
Before beginning your request for a digital signature, you must complete the subscription form. Once you’ve completed the form, you will be invited to make your payment. The subscription payment is made online by credit card if the subscription request concerns fewer than five users.
Step 1.2: Open a Corporate Account
Organizations with 5 or more users may request to open a corporate account which allows all subscribers to be grouped under the same entity. Once you have designated an internal representative for the deployment and accounting, you will receive your invoice for payment.
Step 2.1: Book an Appointment
Once you’ve completed the subscription form, you will receive an email inviting you to create your security questions and schedule a face-to-face identity verification with one of our Identity Verification Agents (IVA).
Step 2.2: Prepare Your Documents
During your appointment, you must present two (2) valid government-issued IDs containing a photo and signature. Find out more here
Step 2.3: Complete Your Identity Verification by Videoconference
Join a video call so that one of our IVAs can verify your identity. The easiest and quickest way to complete the identity verification is by videoconference using your smartphone.
Step 3.1: Approval by Your Professional Association or Company
Once your identity has been verified, your digital signature request will be sent to the Affiliation Verification Agent (AVA) designated by your association or company where you are employed for approval. The approval process takes between 1 and 10 days.
Step 3.2: Download the Necessary Software
While your request is being approved, we recommend installing the software needed to activate and use your digital signature. This step can also be done before the subscription process, which is strongly recommended for companies in order to identify the technical requirements for deployment.
Step 4.1: Activate Your CertifiO Digital Signature
Once your professional association or employer has approved your request, you will receive a code by email to activate your CertifiO digital signature. This step is essential because, if you do not activate your signature, you will not be able to use it even if it has been approved. Learn more
Step 4.2: Sign Your Documents
You now will have a fully functional CertifiO digital signature that can be used to sign electronic documents using our signature tools (ConsignO Desktop or ConsignO Cloud) or Adobe Acrobat.
Questions & Answers
What is a digital signature?
A digital signature is an encrypted electronic signature that guarantees the origin of an electronic document, its integrity, and its authenticity. When you manually sign a document, you guarantee your agreement to the text content. A digital signature does the same thing and adds even more information. It guarantees signature authenticity by proving that you are the person who signed, it ensures document integrity, meaning that it has not been modified since the signature, and also confirms that the sustainability of the document, ensuring its validity for years to come.
Difference between a digital and an electronic signature
An electronic signature consists of blocks of information that identify you. A digital signature is a form of electronic signature that is more secure because it is encrypted and can be invisible. It protects many elements of your documents. Watch the CertifiO video
What is the difference between Desktop and Cloud digital signatures?
CertifiO Desktop in housed in a .epf file and works on a computer using any PDF reader. Using the signature in the ConsignO Desktop software, allows you to sign documents in batches and to access dozens of advanced features.
CertifiO Cloud is housed in our secure cloud and works on any device connected to the internet via the ConsignO Cloud Solo web app. You can manage seal parameters and sign documents from a smart phone.
Both CertifiO Desktop and CertifiO Cloud are compatible with the ConsignO Cloud electronic signature platform, which allows you to optimize “internal-external” signature projects.
What is a digital signature certificate and what type of information does it contain?
The digital signature certificate can be compared to a passport. It contains information that helps authenticate the signer’s identity and links them to their digital signature. All recipients can see the certificate’s details by accessing Portage CyberTech’s Notarius online certification servers. Certificates are issued by Notarius, a certification authority, once a user’s identity and, when applicable, professional status, have been verified. The certificate is an electronic file that meets the X.509 standard and is signed by a recognized certification authority. It contains data that identifies the user, such as:
- The user’s distinctive name (last name, first name, and, when applicable, member number)
- The name of the user’s professional association, when applicable
- The user’s email address
- The user’s public verification key
- The certificate’s validity period
- The certificate’s serial number
- The issuing certificate authority’s digital signature to verify and guarantee the authenticity of the information contained within the certificate
Moreover, the certificate contains a public verification key that matches the private signature key. Together, they create a link between the user and the asymmetric key pair.
Is my digital signature recognized elsewhere in Canada?
Yes. Portage CyberTech is compliant with the criteria specified in the federal law, Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. There may also be particular provincial laws whose criteria Portage CyberTech respects because they generally have the same effect as the federal law and as such, are very similar.
Why an in-person identity verification process?
For your security!
Notarius’ digital signature confirms your identity in the digital world and carries the same legal value as your handwritten signature for all types of documents, including binding contracts. It is therefore necessary to uphold a rigorous and secure application process.
Does Portage CyberTech store copies of my documents?
No. The only information that Portage CyberTech collects and saves are certain personal and professional details of its customers that are necessary to offer the digital signature service, such as the first name, last name, email address, and, in the case of a professional, professional association member number. To know more on how Notarius uses this information, please see the Privacy Policy.
Does Portage CyberTech have access to my credit card number?
When you pay by credit card, the information entered in your browser is sent directly to Paysafe Payments, a reliable company recognized for its online payment processing solution. The data does not transit through Portage CyberTech’s servers; we therefore do not have access to your entire credit card number. Our payment processing platform will provide us with the last 4 digits of your credit card number as part of the transaction confirmation.
I would like to bill my company. How do I do that?
Your company must first have a direct billing account with Portage CyberTech. Once an account has been opened, the option to direct bill your employer will be instantly available when you sign up through the portal based on your work email domain name.
Portage CyberTech offers group rates on annual subscription fees for groups of 51 users or more charged to the same account. See the different rates available under the “Pricing” on your this page. For more information, contact the Sales team.
I exercise my profession in multiple jurisdictions; how do I get an additional signature?
If you exercise in one or more jurisdictions and the professional associations that you belong to issue digital signatures through the Portage CyberTech’s Notarius Certificate Authority, there is absolutely NO SIGN-UP FEE, and the cost of additional digital signatures is $99 per signature.
For example, if you are a member of EGBC, APEGA and APEGS, your digital signature fees would break down as follows:
- 1st EGBC digital signature: $99 + $195 = $294
- 2nd APEGA digital signature: $99
- 3rd APEGS digital signature: $99
Total for first year: $492 for all three signatures
Total for second year: $393 for all three signatures
Can I ask my technician or assistant to sign in my place and use my digital signature?
NO. This goes against your authentication standards and our certificate policies. Your right to use a digital signature may be revoked if you share your digital signature and password with someone else, including your colleagues, spouse and children. A third party may prepare your signature zone, but you are the only person who can use your digital signature.
Have Questions? Contact Us!
Need support?
Visit the Support Centre
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By submitting this form, you consent to your data being stored on servers outside of Quebec.