Government of Canada’s new Digital Standards place users at centre of service design

News release

September 18, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario – Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

The Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadians with digital services that are secure, helpful and easy to use.

To help achieve this, the government has released a set of Digital Standards to serve as the foundation for how it will use technology to better manage information, and deliver the quality digital services Canadians expect from their government. 

The Digital Standards were developed in consultation with the public and key stakeholders, and they will continue to evolve to keep pace with an ever-changing digital landscape. The standards will guide key digital practices, such as placing Canadians as users at the centre of design.

The Digital Standards are already informing efforts such as the recently announced project to replace Phoenix with a next generation pay system, where the standards’ inclusion of agile and open development principles, and a focus on continuous improvement, have been highlighted.

In introducing the Digital Standards, the Government of Canada joins the ranks of leading digital nations, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand in placing the principles of user-centric design at the centre of effective service delivery. 

Quotes

“The Government of Canada’s new Digital Standards represent a foundational step in the fast evolution of Canada’s government digital services. Government’s purpose is to improve the lives of people. These standards lay the groundwork as we embrace new methods and tools to improve how we design, build and deliver the kinds of digital services Canadians expect from a modern government.”

-       The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government

Quick facts

  • The Digital Standards build on the Digital 7 (D7) Charter, which Canada became a signatory of in February 2018. The charter commits Canada to work towards core principles of digital development, focusing on user needs, open government, and a commitment to share and learn from D7 member nations.

  • The Digital Standards will also play an integral role in shaping the Government of Canada's Digital Policy, supporting the Government of Canada's digital agenda.

Contacts

Farees Nathoo
Media Relations
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
613-369-3170

Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Telephone: 613-369-9400
Toll-free: 1-855-TBS-9-SCT (1-855-827-9728)
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 613-369-9371
Email: media@tbs-sct.gc.ca

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