Taking Finance Canada’s websites to the cloud

We took full advantage of cloud computing to create websites that automatically adjust to handle traffic spikes, update in real time and run smoothly—all while keeping costs down.

At Shared Services Canada (SSC), we pride ourselves on continuously modernizing to provide digital services that meet Canadians’ needs. When Finance Canada presented us with a challenge—to move their websites to the cloud—we knew we had the opportunity to create something impactful.

The goal: Build a faster, more reliable solution that could easily grow to handle huge traffic spikes—such as on budget day—while also saving money and eliminating the need for traditional server management. But this was also a chance to rethink how government services work online and how we partner with organizations to deliver solutions that make a difference for Canadians.

From idea to reality

It all started in July 2023, when Finance Canada turned to SSC’s cloud team, trusting our expertise to move their budget site and main department website to the cloud.

This was not a simple “lift and shift” to a new platform; we reimagined how the websites would operate in a way that takes full advantage of cloud computing.

We moved away from hardware-based servers and used a third-party cloud service platform. This allowed us to build a system that didn’t require traditional server management—no more worrying about patches or configurations. Instead, we could focus on providing a seamless, efficient experience for Canadians visiting the sites to learn about the country’s budget and finance policy.

The result? Websites that can handle a lot of visitors at once, update instantly and run smoothly—while saving money. With cloud services, you only pay for what you use, and there is no extra cost for buying and maintaining servers.

The big test: The Fall Economic Statement goes live

In November 2023, we put the new solution to the test for Finance Canada’s Fall Economic Statement. This is when the government shares important financial updates and, naturally, the website experiences a massive surge in traffic.

In the past, this would have been a major stress test for the infrastructure.

This time, with our new cloud solution in place, the budget website exceeded expectations. The website supported thousands of users per minute, delivering the content without any issues.

And the cost was a fraction of what it had been with the previous solution.

Étienne Lefebvre, Deputy Chief Information Officer at Finance Canada, shared his excitement: “Our colleagues at SSC recognized the value and impact of our work on Canadians. SSC worked with us to understand our challenges and find a solution that has proven that, with the right technology and partnerships, we can deliver incredible outcomes. Moments like these remind public servants to reflect on their contributions and take pride in their accomplishments.”

Budget day

Then came the ultimate test—budget day.

On April 16, 2024, the Minister of Finance unveiled the new budget and hundreds of thousands of Canadians were eagerly waiting to see it.

In the past, the budget document would take around 20 minutes to appear online after being presented in Parliament. But thanks to our new cloud system, we made history by updating the website in just 20 seconds.

As the Minister of Finance delivered the budget speech, Canadians worldwide were able to access the information with no delays.

Future-ready with modern hosting solutions

The move to the cloud was not just about building a better website.

It was about helping to deliver faster, more reliable and more cost-effective government services to Canadians through solutions like GC Cloud One. This SSC-built cloud hosting service was where Finance Canada’s websites moved to. And soon, it will be home to more Government of Canada cloud environments, providing them with essential connectivity and security.

Switching to GC Cloud One meant Finance Canada could use a more advanced and efficient platform, better aligned with their needs.

Forward together

SSC is proud of what we have accomplished with Finance Canada, but we know this project would not have been possible without true collaboration.

We worked closely with Finance Canada teams, blending expertise and vision to create a solution that met their technical and business needs. Together, we have shown what is possible when innovation and strong partnership come together.