Standing Senate Committee on National Finance: 2026–27 Main Estimates
Opening statement
Scott Davis
Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Shared Services Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
April 15, 2026
Greeting
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to discuss Shared Services Canada’s 2026–27 Main Estimates.
Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded and traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.
I am accompanied by Patrick Comtois, Director General for Enterprise Information Technology (IT) Procurement Enablers and Cloud.
Role and impact
Shared Services Canada (SSC) modernizes and operates the Government of Canada’s core IT infrastructure. This includes the connectivity services, cyber security services, digital services and hosting services that enable departments to deliver on their mandates.
This technology underpins programs and benefits, public safety and national defence. It supports everything from benefits delivery and border security to emergency response.
In short, without this IT infrastructure, many services to Canadians would be disrupted or could not be delivered at all. In addition, as a common IT service provider, SSC helps reduce costs through scale, standardization and government-wide buying power, while improving reliability, security and interoperability across government systems.
2026–27 Main Estimates
Mr. Chair, in the 2026–27 Main Estimates, SSC is seeking $2.36 billion.
This is a net decrease of $128.6 million compared to 2025–26.
This overall reduction is due to the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and adjustments to multi‑year funding profiles, including the sunsetting of time‑limited funding approved in previous years.
The Main Estimates request $101.4 million in new funding. This includes:
- support for core IT services across departments, such as networks, workplace technology devices and digital services that departments rely on every day to serve Canadians and support public servants; and
- a project to automate and accelerate large parts of the security monitoring process, allowing us to better predict, detect and respond to cyber threats.
SSC is also seeking an increase to its Vote-Netted Revenue authority. The associated revenue will fully offset costs, resulting in no net impact on funding, while providing greater flexibility to respond to client demand.
Transformation
Mr. Chair, SSC plays a central role in delivering the Government’s agenda for digital transformation, efficiency and the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and automation.
This includes ensuring digitally sovereign solutions amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty.
SSC is working closely with departments and agencies to apply emerging technologies such as AI, chatbots, automation and predictive analytics to modernize operations, reduce costs and improve service delivery for Canadians.
This work includes SSC’s in-house generative AI tool, CANChat—a secure platform for public servants that supports productivity while ensuring that data remains in Canada and is hosted on government-accredited infrastructure. We are preparing for broader deployment across government beginning this spring.
These and other initiatives require sustained investment but are essential to building a more resilient, secure and innovative digital government while maintaining uninterrupted delivery of existing services.
Over the years, SSC has absorbed inflationary pressures and rising demand by leveraging efficiencies and economies of scale. However, the growing volume and complexity of IT requirements, particularly related to cyber security and AI, mean additional resources are needed to manage operational risk and sustain effective service delivery.
SSC is also reviewing all aspects of its IT procurement through benchmarking, prioritizing Canadian vendors, and ensuring best value for Canada, with a focus on lifecycle costs, performance and resilience.
We have also implemented the Buy Canadian Policy to strengthen domestic innovation and digital capacity by prioritizing Canadian suppliers, materials and content whenever feasible, while remaining compliant with trade obligations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SSC will continue to deliver and strengthen essential digital services that Canadians depend on every day, while advancing secure, efficient and innovative government operations.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I welcome your questions.