2020-21 Departmental Plan: Operating context

The Government of Canada (GC) created SSC by integrating the IT budgets, systems and personnel from 43 of the largest federal departments and agencies. SSC is responsible for operating and modernizing the GC’s IT infrastructure across the public sector.

SSC’s mandate is to deliver email, data centre, and telecommunications services to federal government organizations. The Department also provides services related to cyber and IT security and the purchase of workplace technology devices, as well as offering other optional services to federal government organizations on a cost-recovery basis.

Since SSC was created, the Department’s role has matured to reflect evolving business practices. In 2017, amendments to the Shared Services Canada Act made it more efficient for SSC customers to purchase some of the most frequently requested IT goods and services without the need to go through the Department. SSC currently shares responsibility for certain of its federal IT portfolio and services with other departments, including the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Communications Security Establishment.

SSC reports directly to the newly appointed stand-alone Minister of Digital Government, emphasizing the GC’s increased focus on the role SSC has to play in the transition to a more digital government.