Briefing package for a Committee of the Whole on Supplementary Estimates (A) 2020-21 – Minister of Digital Government

Contact Centres (Call Centres) - June 17, 2020

Issue / Question

Critical call centres receiving phone calls from citizens and employees across the country are being modernized with more flexible infrastructure and Internet-based services through an enterprise solution known as the Hosted Contact Centre Services Project. The migration from aging infrastructures to a cloud-based solution provides greater flexibility and scalability for departments and, as a result, better service to Canadians.

During COVID-19, Shared Services Canada has been working with partners in the industry to ensure that the Canadian telecommunications network and the underlying infrastructure can support the unprecedented level of calls received across the Government of Canada contact centres.

Suggested Response

Background

Increased Flexibility and Capacity of the Contact Centre Infrastructure - COVID-19

Network Security and Privacy - June 17, 2020

Issue

Data security and the protection of personal information is paramount in Canada’s increasingly digitally-enabled government. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting its data, information and information technology infrastructure so Canadians can rely on a secure, stable and resilient digital government.

Suggested Response

Background

Expanding Secure Remote Access Capability

Key Secure Remote Access Facts

Next Generation HR and Pay Initiative - June 17, 2020

Issue

Update on the Next Generation HR and Pay Initiative.

Key Facts

Response

Background

Budget 2018 announced the Government’s intention to move away from Phoenix and begin development of a pay system that will be better aligned with the complexity of the federal government’s human resources and pay structure.

TBS received $16 million over two years, beginning in 2018-19, to explore replacement options for a next generation human resources and pay solution. 

In June, the Government announced it had selected Ceridian, SAP, and Workday as the vendors deemed qualified to deliver a next generation human resources and pay solution for the Government of Canada. 

In September, the Government announced that it will invest $117 million to co-design and deliver pilot projects for the NextGen HR and Pay system.

In March 2020, after months of evaluation, and testing, it was announced that SAP had been selected to work with our team on a pilot for a new Human Resources and Pay solution.

NextGen has begun engaging SAP on a series of discussions to assess organizational capacity and readiness to work on NextGen under the current COVID-19 circumstances.

Initial focus of work with SAP will include establishing governance and oversight, project management tools and protocols and development of a detailed plan to pilot the solution in a core department.

Effective April 1st, leadership for NextGen was transitioned from Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to Shared Services Canada. Because of Shared Services Canada’s expertise and experience in the delivery of enterprise solutions, the Department is well-poised to deliver this important service.

The Chief Human Resources Officer at Treasury Board Secretariat remains the Business Owner and a key collaborator of the NextGen initiative.

The Government continues to work with stakeholders, such as bargaining agents, employees, and HR and pay practitioners, and will continue to engage in an open and transparent manner, so that the new solution can address the needs of a modern public service and its employees as soon as possible.

Ongoing stabilization efforts of the Phoenix Pay System remains a top priority for the government and is being pursued by Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Office 365 and Digital Communications - June 17, 2020

Issue / Question

Shared Services Canada is initiating a series of projects to digitally enable the Government of Canada workplace.

Response

Background

COVID-19 Emergency Communications Response

Supplementary Estimates (A) 2020-21 - June 17, 2020

Issue

Supplementary Estimates (A) 2020-21 for Shared Services Canada (SSC) was tabled in Parliament on June 2, 2020 and is the first Supplementary Estimate for this fiscal year.

Supplementary Estimates present information on additional spending requirements which were either not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates or, have subsequently been adjusted to account for developments in particular programs and services.

Response

Background

Telework / Remote Access - June 17, 2020

Issue / Question

Shared Services Canada plays a vital role in supporting the federal departments and agencies that are providing critical government services to Canadians.

Amid the current COVID-19 Pandemic, Shared Services Canada is working with government organizations to ensure that IT infrastructure and telecommunications needs across the Government of Canada continue to be met. This includes the enhancement of key existing capabilities to support the increased volume of workers outside of the corporate networks.

Suggested Response

Background

Enhancing Network Infrastructure Capacity

Expanding Secure Remote Access Capability

Increasing Teleconferencing Capacity

Microsoft Office 365 / Digital Communications and Collaboration Project

Accelerating Deployment of Mobile Virtual Private Network

Updating IT Infrastructure to Improve Service Delivery to Canadians - June 17, 2020

Issue / Question

The Government’s systems and infrastructure are aging out faster than they are being replaced. At the same time, demand for IT infrastructure services has never been greater and is only expected to rise.

Suggested Response

Background

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