What we're doing: Transforming how we work

This isn’t just an IT challenge; it’s a culture challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the digital landscape in which the Government of Canada operates to deliver programs and services to Canadians. Remote work has suddenly become a norm for office workers around the world, with transactions and interactions between different stakeholders swiftly moving to a virtual setting. In response to the pandemic, the GC accelerated the deployment of planned initiatives to support emergency measures, as well as to ensure a seamless transition in the continuity of its operations

Today, there is an opportunity to build on the digital momentum of this past year and rethink how the public service undertakes its day-to-day operations, including shaping an agile, mobile and environmentally sustainable foundation for the future. The digital government team is working with partners across government to tackle long-standing institutional barriers to change and innovation. These barriers include processes, governance systems, procurement practices, and a lack of digital skills.

Success will require the Government of Canada to have a relentless focus on user experience.

Federal public servants have been working to help shape Canada’s digital future, but are falling behind with outdated tools and resources in a fast-changing dynamic and increasingly global operating environment. Harnessing leading‑edge digital solutions from dynamic private sector innovators remains a challenge.

By the numbers

• The Government of Canada employs over 20,700 public servants in the field of computer and information systems (CS); 24% are women, and 76% are men
• More than 5,000 GC employees have taken part in virtual courses on topics such as data governance, artificial intelligence, digital leadership and cloud computing since April 1, 2020
• From April 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, the Digital Academy has hosted 7 virtual learning events attended by over 14,000 public servants
• In 2019–20, 79% of contracts funded by Shared Services Canada were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises, valued at approximately $877 million. Of all contracts awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in 2019–20, 97% of the total value was awarded to Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises

The Government of Canada is working with women and other equity‑seeking groups across government, the private sector and academia to increase representation and opportunities in several ways. These include, among other things, the conduct of qualitative research to better understand the challenges and successes of women in STEM across the government, developing more inclusive hiring practices focused on under-represented communities, and establishing a cross government gender and technology working group to develop a coordinated effort to address the issues.

The Government of Canada is also investing in research and using evidence-based data to develop policies and strategies that will help reduce barriers faced by small and medium enterprises owned or led by Canadians from under-represented groups when doing business with the federal government. Identifying opportunities to promote socio-economic benefits through procurement, including green initiatives, opportunities for small and medium enterprises and priority groups such as Indigenous peoples, women, and remote and rural communities, is another means of building a healthier economy.

Shared Services Canada’s Procurement Modernization – Supplier Engagement Committee includes members and perspectives from the following associations: Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, Canadian LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council, Women Business Enterprises Canada.

What this means for Canadians

By bringing together multidisciplinary teams that reflect the diversity of Canadians, by working in the open, by sharing successes and by collaborating across government, public servants will be better positioned to design and deliver the services that Canadians expect in a digital age.