Deputy Ministers Task Force on Public Sector Innovation

Introduction

The Deputy Ministers Task Force on Public Sector Innovation (Task Force) is mandated to play an action-oriented role in experimenting with emerging tools and approaches and helping provide public servants with the skills and knowledge to achieve better results for Canadians. The work of the Task Force will support relevant departments to examine broader trends and emerging technologies with the objective of advancing concrete initiatives that facilitate:

Core systems transformation to address outdated systems and process (e.g., in the areas of grants and contributions, procurement, co-creation, and human resources); and
Experimenting with disruptive technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning, etc.) within government.

The Impact and Innovation Unit is the Secretariat to the Task Force, providing a unique opportunity to help identify and integrate important cross-government innovations into ongoing priorities of the Committee.

How it works

The Task Force is supported by GC Entrepreneurs (GCEs), group of employees from across the Government of Canada who participate as full members of the committee. GCEs work in small, diverse teams and across departmental lines to advance a portfolio of action-oriented innovation projects designed to have a positive impact on government operations and, ultimately, the lives of Canadians. They also play the role of ambassadors for innovation across the federal public service by working to raise awareness and inspire public servants to apply new tools and approaches into their work responsibilities.

As part of the leadership program, GCEs receive leading edge training and support through Nesta’s States of Change, a public sector innovation learning approach designed to strengthen innovation capacity across governments.