DM/CDS Announcement of the Digital Services Group (DSG)
May 1, 2024 - Defence Stories

Team,
Over the past two years, we repositioned the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) and established the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) to enable DND/CAF digital ambitions, improve services to the Defence Team, and align with partners and allies.
Throughout this time, progress has been made related to the alignment of strategies, relationship building, and identifying pan-domain opportunities to further advance modernization efforts, consolidate talent, facilitate resource re-allocations, and deliver on the DND/CAF vision for digital transformation enablement.
Introducing the Digital Services Group (DSG)

Caption
Under the new organizational structure, Mr. Ross Ermel, and current ADM (Digital Transformation) will lead the DSG as ADM (Digital Services) and Defence Chief Digital Officer. He will be directly supported by Ms. Sophie Martel as Chief Technology Officer, Major-General Christopher Zimmer as Chief Digital Transformation/Defence Chief Data Officer and Rear-Admiral Lou Carosielli, Chief of Staff, CAF J6, and CAF Cyber Forces Commander.
Effective today, the CIOG and the DTO will be integrated into a single Level 1 (L1) organization, renamed the Digital Services Group (DSG) and accountable for delivering the combined mandates through a unified team. Under the new organizational structure, Mr. Ross Ermel, current ADM (Digital Transformation), will lead the DSG as ADM (Digital Services) and Defence Chief Digital Officer. He will be directly supported by Ms. Sophie Martel as Chief Technology Officer, Major-General Christopher Zimmer as Chief Digital Transformation/Defence Chief Data Officer and Rear-Admiral Lou Carosielli, Chief of Staff, CAF J6, and CAF Cyber Forces Commander.
While these changes reposition the team, their core mandate and business objectives remain unchanged. The intent of this amalgamation aims to capitalize on synergies, streamline processes, and accelerate the Defence Team’s modernization efforts. It is also part of an ongoing effort to unlock greater capacity and value, thus enabling the team to deliver on DND/CAF priorities and facilitate preparedness for future challenges. This includes the future stand up of a Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command, and the digital transformation priorities that have recently been communicated in the renewed Defence Policy – Our North, Strong and Free.
As we undergo this organizational shift, DSG's support to L1 organizations will remain unchanged with primary work occurring within the DSG as they continue their internal repositioning. The DSG will continue to work closely with all L1s to ensure a cohesive, iterative, and interoperable approach to transformation.
This transformation is a Defence Team effort, and we ask that you remain flexible, open, and actively collaborative. Additional information on DSG and this organizational change can be found in Frequently Asked Question – Digital Services Group.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Overview
As announced on May 1, 2024, by Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) Deputy Minister Bill Matthews and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Wayne Eyre, the merger of the Level 1s (L1s) of the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) and the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) will create the Digital Services Group (DSG). This strategic move aims to capitalize on synergies, streamline processes, and accelerate the Defence Team’s modernization efforts while maintaining core mandates and business objectives.
Q1. Who will be leading this new Digital Services Group?
A1. Mr. Ross Ermel, the current Assistant Deputy Minister (Digital Transformation) (ADM (DT)), has been appointed as the ADM (Digital Services) and will lead this L1 organization. Mr. Ermel brings a wealth of military and public service experience to this role and has been selected for his vision, dedication, and professionalism. The following appointments have been made for the DSG executive leadership team:
- Chief Technology Officer: Ms. Sophie Martel
- Chief Digital Transformation and Defence Chief Data Officer: Major-General Christopher Zimmer
- Chief of Staff, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) J6, and CAF Cyber Forces Commander: Rear-Admiral Lou Carosielli
Q2. What does this amalgamation mean for the staff of the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) and the Digital Transformation Office (DTO)?
A2. Currently, employees of the Digital Services Group (DSG) can be assured that there is more than enough work for everyone in our newly amalgamated Digital Services Group. With this organizational restructuring, at this time it is simply an amalgamation and it will not have any impact on people and their current roles. As we navigate this journey, leadership at all levels will remain open and transparent about any forthcoming adjustments.
Q3. What will be the purpose of the Digital Services Group (DSG)?
A3. The Digital Services Group (DSG) will inherit the mandates of the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) and Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG), focusing on data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), enterprise resource planning modernization, cyber security and operations, Information Management (IM), and digital products and services. While these changes reshape the team, their core mandate and business objectives remain unchanged. The merger of the DTO and CIOG organizations aims to capitalize on synergies, streamline processes, and accelerate the Defence Team’s modernization efforts.
Q4. Why is this amalgamation occurring? Is it due to fiscal constraints?
A4. The creation of the Digital Services Group (DSG) was not driven by fiscal concerns but rather by the desire to capitalize on synergies, streamline processes, and accelerate the modernization of Defence. The DSG will enable the entire Defence Team to continue leading digital transformation, creating efficiencies, and aligning more closely with our allies.
Q5. What are the next steps for the Digital Services Group (DSG)?
A5. The Digital Services Group (DSG) will focus on smoothly integrating the operations of the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) and the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG). This will involve aligning processes, systems, and teams to ensure a cohesive approach to digital innovation. As we undergo this organizational shift, DSG's support to L1 organizations will remain unchanged with primary work occurring within the DSG as they continue their internal repositioning. The DSG will continue to work closely with all L1s to ensure a cohesive, iterative, and interoperable approach to transformation.
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