Ottawa is introducing a new federal body focused on leveraging digital technologies to enhance Canadians’ access to government services. The Prime Minister’s Office disclosed the establishment of Digital Transformation Canada, which aims to improve the government’s technology development, procurement, and utilization, among other key objectives. Patrick Pichette has been appointed as the CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, bringing extensive experience from roles at Google, Bell Canada, McKinsey, and Spring Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed confidence in Pichette’s expertise in digital transformation and innovation, emphasizing the importance of advancing these initiatives. The new agency, as per the PMO, will implement digital solutions like artificial intelligence across the government to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance digital security and sovereignty.
Carney highlighted the agency’s focus on modernizing public service delivery, minimizing redundancy, and fostering the growth of Canadian technology companies to boost the economy and benefit Canadians. The release also mentioned plans to empower public servants with tools to enhance service delivery efficiency and allocate federal resources to support Canadian AI and digital firms in testing, scaling, and commercializing new technologies.
Digital Transformation Canada will operate under the supervision of Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound, consolidating Shared Services Canada with components of the Treasury Board Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada.