Canada must Prioritize Digitally Enabled Government Services

TECHNATION’s 2023 Hill Day to focus on slow technology adoption

OTTAWA, ON (November 23, 2023) – TECHNATION, Canada’s leading national technology association, and its members representing leading technology companies from across the country, are hosting its annual Hill Day today to advance and advocate for critical policy changes with Canada’s federal government.  Topics of focus during meetings will include: the importance of accelerating technology adoption such as cloud and artificial intelligence (AI), skills and talent development, procurement modernization, and cybersecurity.

TECHNATION and its members will focus on Canada’s slow progress in tech adoption and modernized service delivery to citizens.  Canada continues to lag significantly behind other industrialized countries in the digital delivery of services. There are critical policy changes needed in Canada to address important issues like regulatory challenges and fragmentation, procurement modernization and new approaches to stimulating innovation in areas such as cybersecurity using tax credits or wage subsidies.

“Canadians deserve digitally enabled government services that can be accessed anytime, on any device, from anywhere,” said Michele Lajeunesse, Senior Vice President – Government Relations and Policy, TECHNATION. “This is where we see some of the government’s digital services lagging behind that of the private sector. Governments do not always know the full scope of what is possible, but by working with and engaging industry early on they can harness the power of technology to truly be successful in their efforts.”

TECHNATION continues to work with the Government of Canada to improve cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, adopt enabling technologies including cloud and AI, and increase investment in talent upskilling. Government procurement continues to be a major economic lever for Canada’s federal government and through its advocacy work, TECHNATION is collaborating with government on advanced technology policies, accelerated cyber strategies, and co-designed roadmaps.

About TECHNATION

TECHNATION is the industry-government nexus for technology prosperity in Canada. As a member-driven, not-for-profit, TECHNATION unites Canada’s technology sector, governments, and communities to enable technology prosperity in Canada. TECHNATION champions technology prosperity by providing advocacy, professional development and networking opportunities across industry and governments at all levels; connecting Canadian scale-ups with global tech leaders; engaging the global supply chain; and filling the technology talent pipeline.

TECHNATION has served as the authoritative national voice of the $242 billion ICT industry for over 60 years. More than 45,000 Canadian ICT firms create and supply goods and services that contribute to a more productive, competitive, and innovative society. The ICT sector generates more than 717,590 jobs and invests $10.3 billion annually in R&D, more than any other private sector performer. TECHNATION was formerly the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC). For more information: www.technationcanada.ca

For more information:

Sarah Coombs
Cell: 416-729-8550
scoombs@technationcanada.ca