ITAC welcomes Federal Cabinet changes and prepares to engage new Ministers in dialogue about Canadian ICT industry

Ottawa, ON (July 18, 2018) – The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) welcomes today’s announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of the Cabinet refresh, viewing the changes as positive for the Canadian information, communications and technology (ICT) industry, and one that recognizes the strengths of key individuals appointed new roles.

“ITAC has had a long and positive relationship with Canada’s Federal Government ministries and appreciates the opportunity to have consistent open and honest conversations about the issues of importance to the ICT sector,” said Robert Watson, ITAC president and CEO. “Today’s announcement will give us an opportunity to continue this productive dialogue, and to share the value and direct impact on the Canadian economy with Prime Minister Trudeau’s newly appointed Ministers.”

Mandate letters are expected to be released later this summer. Below are some of key areas that will be directly impacted by today’s announcement.

Trade and Competitiveness

Canada is a trading nation, both in goods and services, and it’s important that the Federal Government works to both maintain a strong relationship with our largest trading partner, the United States, as well as seek new opportunities overseas.  The technology sector is the future for the Canadian economy, and the United States is not only an important buyer of Canadian technology, but also a vital source of foreign direct investment and venture capital for fast growing tech start-ups.

We are pleased Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland remains in her current role focused on the ongoing engagements on NAFTA, and very pleased to have welcome Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr. We look forward to working with Minister Carr and new Minister for Small business and Export Promotion, Mary Ng, to seek international export opportunities as well as continued investment attraction to our technology sector.

We would like to thank former International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne for his work and look forward to working with him on files such as a smart infrastructure, smart  cities and broadband in his new capacity as Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

Procurement and Shared Services

We are pleased that Minister Carla Qualtrough is remaining as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, as well as taking on the additional portfolio of Accessibility. President of the Treasury Board, Scott Brison, has long been a champion of digital service delivery by the federal government and congratulate him on his new additional role as Minister of Digital Government. We will continue to work closely with Public Service and Procurement Canada, Shared Services Canada, and the Treasury Board Secretariat to help modernize government’s procurement of ICT. We will continue to encourage these ministers to recognize that their role in procurement to foster innovation, economic growth, and achieve socio-economic outcomes. Driving a digital-first agenda, innovating procurement and delivering a pragmatic approach towards public-private partnership is mission-critical to building a modern digital government.

Health and ICT

We look forward to engaging new Minister of Senior’s Filomena Tassi, and updating her on the advantages of adopting ICT to deliver better services to Canada’s aging population. Minister Tassi will help the Government better understand the needs of Canadian seniors and ensure that programs and services are developed that respond to Canada’s aging population.

The full list of changes to Prime Minister Trudeau’s Cabinet are as follows:

    • Dominic LeBlanc, currently Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, becomes Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade.
    • James Gordon Carr, currently Minister of Natural Resources, becomes Minister of International Trade Diversification.
    • Mélanie Joly, currently Minister of Canadian Heritage, becomes Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.
    • Amarjeet Sohi, currently Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, becomes Minister of Natural Resources.
    • Carla Qualtrough, currently Minister of Public Services and Procurement, becomes Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility.
    • Pablo Rodriguez, currently Chief Government Whip, becomes Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.
    • Bill Blair, currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Health, becomes Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction.
    • Mary Ng becomes Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion.
    • Filomena Tassi, currently Deputy Government Whip, becomes Minister of Seniors.
    • Jonathan Wilkinson, currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, becomes Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

In addition to these changes, the following ministers will be named as follows:

 

About Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)

As Canada’s national ICT business association, the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) champions the development of a robust and sustainable digital economy in Canada. A vital connection between business and government, we provide our members with the advocacy, networking and professional development services that help them to thrive nationally and compete globally.

A prominent advocate for the expansion of Canada’s innovative capacity, ITAC encourages technology adoption to capitalize on productivity and performance opportunities across all sectors. A member-driven not-for-profit, ITAC has served as the authoritative national voice of the $170 billion ICT industry for over 60 years. More than 36,000 Canadian ICT firms create and supply goods and services that contribute to a more productive, competitive, and innovative society. The ICT sector generates over one million jobs directly and indirectly and invests $4.9 billion annually in R&D, more than any other private sector performer.

To arrange an interview, please contact:

Janet Gibson Eichner

Cell: 416-357-8908 or jgibson_eichner@itac.ca