Canada joins leading digital nations in D7 - Transcript
Good morning.
What Canada brings to this summit is the understanding that government
exists to improve the lives of citizens.
Digital was opening up previously unimaginable possibilities for
how government can fulfill this fundamental role.
Digital has everything to do with enabling, empowering, and serving people better.
And at a time when democratic governments around the world are facing challenges of legitimacy,
digital provides new opportunities to make government relevant to the lives of citizens.
In Canada, we are committed to providing our citizens with the reliable, accessible and
secure digital services that they desserve in the 21st century, on their smartphones
and tablets, at a time and place that is convenient to them.
Today as an organization, you’re either digital or you’re dead.
If a company doesn’t get digital right, it’s out of business.
If a government doesn’t get digital right, it’s out of touch.
Our relevance to citizens is in jeopardy if we can’t deliver
world-class government digital services.
To do that means we have to do things differently.
We have to adopt a modern digital mindset.
We have to put users’ real needs at the centre of service delivery.
we have to embrace innovation and experimentation in designing
and even reinventing our services
to find the best way to meet those needs.
That’s why I am so excited that the D5 has
invited Canada’s participation.
Joining the D5 gives Canada fresh opportunities
to learn from the world leaders in digital
government.
At the same time, New Zealand’s invitation to join the D5 is recognition of our own efforts
in advancing digital government in Canada.
Being able to access expertise in other digital nations can only support all of our progress.
It’s also a testament not only to the work that has been going on for many years across
Canada, but also to our ambition and commitment
to go even further with great digital government services.
I can tell you that I am personally invested and extremely excited about digital government
and the potential for the future.
We are simply thrilled that this commitment has earned us a place at the table with the
leading countries in the world.
We look forward to learning from you and working with you to continue advancing digital principles
and practices, and get better at serving our citizens.