- Canada has launched a new federal organization, Digital Transformation Canada
- Former Google CFO Patrick Pichette has been appointed CEO
- The organization will consolidate digital capabilities across several departments and use federal purchasing power to support Canadian AI and technology companies
The Government of Canada has launched Digital Transformation Canada, a new federal organization tasked with leveraging digital technologies to improve Canadians’ access to government programs and services.
How Will Digital Transformation Canada Change Federal Technology Delivery?
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that the organization will help the federal government lead by example in adopting new technologies, reducing duplication and improving public service delivery.
The organization will combine Shared Services Canada with selected functions from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada.
The consolidation is intended to bring digital expertise and delivery capabilities together, enabling the federal government to develop, purchase and deploy technology more effectively.
The organization also seeks to improve the tools available to public servants and aims to help Canadian digital and AI companies test, scale and commercialize technologies.
Who Will Lead Digital Transformation Canada?
The government appointed Patrick Pichette as CEO of Digital Transformation Canada. Pichette brings more than three decades of experience spanning finance, technology and corporate leadership.
He served as chief financial officer of Google from 2008 to 2015, helping oversee the technology company during a period of substantial global expansion and transformation. His background also includes senior leadership roles at Bell Canada, McKinsey and Sprint Canada.
“By modernizing public service delivery, reducing duplication, and supporting the growth of Canadian technology firms, we will strengthen our economy, improve outcomes for Canadians, and position Canada to lead in the digital age,” said Carney. “The addition of Patrick Pichette will bring world-class expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and organizational change to help advance this crucial work.”
Digital Transformation Canada will be led by Joël Lightbound, minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec lieutenant.
What Role Will Private-Sector Expertise Play?
Digital Transformation Canada will establish a fellowship model that brings specialized private-sector professionals into government for short-term assignments.
The government said the model will help strengthen the public service’s technical capacity, commercial expertise and ability to assess, procure and responsibly deploy emerging technologies.
The initiative is part of the government’s national AI strategy, AI for All, to increase public-sector productivity, competitiveness and resilience as technology, including artificial intelligence, reshapes the economy and government operations.
