The Canadian government is introducing a new federal entity, Digital Transformation Canada, aimed at enhancing citizen access to government services through digital technologies. This initiative, as outlined by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), will also focus on optimizing technology development, procurement, and utilization among other key objectives.
Patrick Pichette, former Google CFO and executive at Bell Canada, McKinsey, and Spring Canada, has been appointed as the CEO of Digital Transformation Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed confidence in Pichette’s expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and organizational change to drive forward this essential initiative.
The agency’s primary goals include implementing digital solutions like artificial intelligence across the government to streamline processes, reduce costs, and bolster digital security and sovereignty. Carney emphasized that by modernizing public service delivery and supporting Canadian tech firms, the economy will strengthen, benefiting Canadians and positioning Canada as a leader in the digital era.
Furthermore, the new entity will empower public servants with tools to enhance service delivery efficiency and allocate federal resources to assist Canadian AI and digital companies in testing, scaling, and commercializing new technologies. Digital Transformation Canada will operate under Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement Joël Lightbound, consolidating Shared Services Canada with select departments to streamline operations and drive innovation.