Ottawa is introducing a new federal entity focused on leveraging digital technologies to enhance Canadians’ access to government services. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced the establishment of Digital Transformation Canada, aimed at improving how the government adopts and utilizes technology, among other key objectives.
Patrick Pichette, the former chief financial officer of Google from 2008 to 2015, has been appointed as the CEO of Digital Transformation Canada. Pichette, who also held executive positions at Bell Canada, McKinsey, and Spring Canada, brings extensive expertise in digital transformation and innovation to the organization.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed confidence in Pichette’s ability to drive essential advancements within the agency. Digital Transformation Canada plans to implement digital solutions, including artificial intelligence, across government operations to streamline processes, reduce costs, enhance security, and promote digital sovereignty.
Carney emphasized the agency’s goal of modernizing public service delivery, eliminating redundancy, and supporting the growth of Canadian technology companies to bolster the economy and enhance outcomes for citizens. The new entity will provide tools to public servants to enhance efficiency in service delivery and allocate federal resources to aid Canadian AI and digital firms in developing, testing, and commercializing new technologies.
Digital Transformation Canada will operate under the oversight of Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound, consolidating Shared Services Canada with segments of the Treasury Board Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada.