New Digital Transformation Canada could mean big changes to machinery of government, observers say

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“The hope I see here is that this is actually a move to try consolidate some of those pieces — which I think, frankly, is long overdue.”

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Jaxson Khan, a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, said his initial reaction was “more than cautiously optimistic.”

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“Truthfully, I was quite excited,” he said.

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The issue with deploying new technologies in government, Khan said, is often more organizational than it is technical.

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Compared to the private sector, government has “a lot more hierarchy and siloing and structure,” he said. “Is it possible to try and consolidate?”

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Khan gives the current government “a first check-mark” for attempting to pull select parts of existing outfits under one roof.

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Next, he’ll be looking at the organization’s budget, headcount and legal authorities to determine whether it’s likely to deliver on its promise.

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Too many targets, prof says

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Daniel Caron, a professor at l’École nationale d’administration publique in Quebec City as well as an adjunct professor at Carleton University, says the new organization is based on good intentions and “could be promising,” but he has concerns about its scope.

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“In my view, there are way too many targets, and they are of a very different nature,” said Caron, who spent 31 years as a public servant, most recently as deputy head of Library and Archives Canada.

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“The new CEO will have to bring some focus.”

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Pichette, the new CEO, was the Chief Financial Officer at Google from 2008 to 2015 and also spent time at Bell Canada, McKinsey and Sprint Canada.

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As head of Digital Transformation Canada, he’s been handed three initial priorities: “scale shared solutions across government,” “equip public servants with more modern, secure tools,” and “use the Government of Canada’s purchasing power more strategically” to help Canadian technology companies.

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In Caron’s view, Pichette will need to decide where to focus his energy if he hopes to deliver a clear message.

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“That’s, to me, a huge challenge,” Caron said, “to bring the people around the table and to make sure that you know they’re on board and that they will put the energy to support these digital transformation objectives.”

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A file photo of Patrick Pichette, who has been appointed CEO of Digital Transformation Canada. Photo by Dario Ayala /POSTMEDIA

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Pichette will also need the full support of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Privy Council Office, Caron said.

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In the coming weeks, Androsoff will be looking for answers to several “open questions” about how the new organization will function.

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Will the Chief Information Officer remain at TBS, or will Pichette take over those responsibilities? Will TBS continue to lead AI policy? Will government-wide initiatives such as benefits delivery and the Phoenix payroll replacement move over to the new organization?

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Androsoff expects the public will start hearing some answers before the end of September.

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With files from Matteo Cimellaro.

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