Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 3118 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DE LA TECHNOLOGIE DE L’INFORMATION ITAC on Digital Government | Page 1 THE VOICE OF THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) SECTOR IN CANADA | www.itac.ca Introduction: Digital Government In the modern economy, a digitally enabled government is not only expected: it is absolutely critical to engaging with citizens and staying competitive on the world stage. In response to public demand and competition with other governments, the Government of Canada is leveraging information communications technologies (ICTs). But this is not enough to be a truly digital government. Rather, as the government seeks to develop a successful Innovation Agenda and move Canada’s digital needle forward, it must also realize its role in using ICT to transform and modernize its very own infrastructure. In doing so, the government can build a platform that fuels digitization, supports single-window mandates, and successfully delivers simple and secure citizen- and business-centric services. Canada also needs to ensure a highly efficient and enabled environment to attract businesses to locate and stay here. As such, this government needs to understand the role it must play in providing organizations with a modern platform in which to operate and interact with government. There are many advantages to building a truly digital government—particularly the opportunity to leverage procurements surrounding transformation, modernization and digitization initiatives to help companies operating in Canada to grow and scale. Therefore, Digital Government must become a part of the Government’s Innovation Agenda’s focus. Defining “digital government” Essentially, a truly digital government can be defined as having four main characteristics: 1. Government is easy to work with; 2. Government is easy to work in; 3. Technologies are evergreen and up-to-date; and 4. Government information is digitized and searchable. These four characteristics are further defined in the Appendix (see pages 6 & 7). ITAC recommends the following investments, program and policy changes as part of the Innovation Agenda consultations. TO COMPETE TO WIN in the next phase of the global digital revolution, Canada must take bold steps now to lay the right foundation. The Innovation Agenda presents an incredible opportunity for the current government to make substantive policy changes—thereby benefiting all Canadians by growing our economy and ensuring continued prosperity for our country. The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) has identified four fundamental priorities that must be addressed by government in order for the Innovation Agenda to succeed: Modern Digital Economy, Trade and Competitiveness, Modern Digital Government, and Talent and Skills Development. This is the third of ITAC’s Innovation Papers, a four-part series that: • provides insight into the state of Canada’s digital economy, and • offers recommendations to enable Canada’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector to reach its world-class potential. Together with industry, ISED and all government stakeholders can build an Innovation Agenda that works for Canada.