2026-27 Departmental Plan: Operating context

Shared Services Canada (SSC), led by the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, provides the essential information technology (IT) infrastructure and digital services that support the Government of Canada’s (GC) operations. SSC is dedicated to advancing secure, reliable and cost-effective enterprise IT solutions that enable seamless services to Canadians. SSC’s mandate reflects the GC’s commitment to modernizing IT infrastructure, optimizing operational efficiencies and reducing costs while providing high-impact digital services that Canadians rely on daily.

SSC serves as the GC’s shared IT service provider, delivering critical digital tools and infrastructure to over 140 federal departments and agencies. From enabling digital interactions—such as applying for federal benefits or crossing international borders, to supporting federal departments in front-line service delivery and national security—SSC ensures reliable, secure and efficient IT operations. It supports operations in approximately 4,000 domestic and international locations. Its core business areas are divided into three key groupings: connectivity, hosting and digital services. These are supported by crosscutting cyber security and procurement functions. Together, SSC’s shared IT services form the backbone of the GC’s digital ecosystem, ensuring 24/7 operations that allow the GC to work efficiently and effectively.

In today’s complex environment, SSC’s role has become more critical than ever. In a rapidly changing global environment where technology, cybersecurity threats and growing geopolitical uncertainties are reshaping how governments deliver services, SSC is adapting quickly and proactively. Canadians expect faster and more reliable digital experiences, while fiscal and economic pressures require governments to innovate, reduce costs, and optimize efficiency without compromising the quality or reliability of services. Additional challenges such as supply chain constraints and market factors add further complexity to SSC operations.

Against this backdrop, SSC provides enterprise-level services that meet the needs of individual departments. By driving operational efficiency—building solutions once and deploying them widely—SSC ensures seamless integration and use across the federal landscape. It creates significant value through reduced costs by leveraging centralized buying power and procurement, achieving economies of scale and better consumption control. SSC further upholds national interests by promoting digital sovereignty, strengthening Canadian infrastructure and fuelling scalable innovation. Crucially, SSC enhances cyber security enterprise-wide through secure-by-design principles, robust digital trust and government-wide protections, ensuring resilience and consistency rather than isolated solutions. In the face of continuous change, including technologies like artificial intelligence, SSC’s enterprise-level enablers allow the Government of Canada to deliver efficient, secure and resilient digital services that underpin modernization efforts such as One SSC and Digital Together and help to build a future-ready digital government.