Ottawa is introducing a novel federal body focused on leveraging digital technologies to enhance Canadians’ accessibility to government services. A press release from the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday revealed the establishment of Digital Transformation Canada, which aims to revolutionize how the government procures, develops, and utilizes technology, among various other objectives.
The PMO also disclosed the appointment of Patrick Pichette as the new CEO of Digital Transformation Canada. Pichette, previously Google’s chief financial officer from 2008 to 2015, brings extensive experience from roles at Bell Canada, McKinsey, and Spring Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed confidence in Pichette’s expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and organizational change, which will be instrumental in advancing the agency’s mission.
Digital Transformation Canada is set to implement digital solutions, including artificial intelligence, across government operations to streamline processes, reduce costs, enhance digital security, and promote Canadian technology firms’ growth. Carney emphasized that by modernizing public service delivery, minimizing redundancies, and supporting local technology enterprises, the initiative will fortify the economy, benefit Canadians, and position Canada as a digital leader.
The agency’s mandate includes empowering public servants with efficient tools to streamline government service delivery and utilizing federal resources to aid Canadian AI and digital companies in testing, scaling, and commercializing cutting-edge technologies. The new organization will operate under the oversight of Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement Joël Lightbound, consolidating Shared Services Canada with segments of the Treasury Board Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada.