Prime Minister Carney launches Digital Transformation Canada to deliver better, faster, more reliable government services to Canadians
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OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 3, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada must be more productive, competitive, and resilient to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Achieving that goal requires a government equipped with the tools and capabilities needed to deliver better results for Canadians – through services that are faster, more secure, and reliable.
Earlier this year, the government launched AI for All, Canada's national AI strategy, to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve services, boost productivity, and strengthen Canada's economy. The strategy commits the federal government to lead by example in the responsible adoption of AI and to use government procurement as a strategic anchor customer for Canadian AI companies, helping them scale, strengthening domestic capacity, and reinforcing Canada's digital sovereignty.
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the launch of Digital Transformation Canada, a new federal organisation with a clear mission: to use digital solutions to make it easier for Canadians to access the support and services they need from government.
The Prime Minister is also pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Pichette to spearhead this mission as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Digital Transformation Canada.
Mr. Pichette is a distinguished Canadian business leader with more than 30 years of experience in finance, technology, and corporate leadership. As Chief Financial Officer of Google from 2008 to 2015, he helped guide the company through a period of significant global growth and transformation. A Rhodes Scholar and former senior executive at Bell Canada, McKinsey, and Sprint Canada, he is internationally recognised for his expertise in innovation, digital transformation, and building high-performing organisations.
Under the responsibility of the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Joël Lightbound, Digital Transformation Canada will bring together Shared Services Canada and selected functions from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada – specifically the Canadian Digital Service.
By combining digital expertise and delivery capacity from across government, the organisation will improve how government develops, buys, and uses technology. Its priorities will be to:
- Scale shared solutions across government to reduce duplication and operating costs, making better use of emerging technologies such as AI, strengthening Canada's digital sovereignty and security, and improving Canadians' experience with federal services.
- Equip public servants with more modern, secure tools to reduce administrative burden, improve efficiency, and help departments focus on delivering their core programs and services.
- Use the Government of Canada's purchasing power more strategically to help Canadian digital and AI companies test, scale, and commercialise new technologies – creating opportunities for Canadian firms to grow at home and compete globally.
To support its mandate, Digital Transformation Canada will also establish a fellowship model to bring specialised private-sector expertise into government for short-term assignments, including in advanced AI and other fast-moving digital fields. This model will focus on knowledge transfer – helping build the public service's own technical capacity, commercial expertise, and ability to evaluate, procure, and deploy new technologies responsibly.
Launching Digital Transformation Canada builds on the government's commitment to make the public service more productive and results-focused. By testing and scaling solutions that work, reducing duplication, and backing Canadian innovation, we will deliver better value for taxpayers and better services for Canadians, while helping Canadian technology companies grow at home and compete globally.
Quotes
"Canada's future prosperity will be built by those who innovate, adopt new technologies, and move quickly to seize new opportunities. Digital Transformation Canada will ensure the federal government leads by example. By modernising 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. The addition of Patrick Pichette will bring world-class expertise in digital transformation, innovation, and organisational change to help advance this crucial work."
-- The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
"Digital Transformation Canada marks a new chapter in how government delivers results for Canadians. By embracing digital innovation, investing in people, and leveraging Canada's world-class AI ecosystem, we will improve services, strengthen digital sovereignty, and create new opportunities for Canadian companies to grow and compete globally. Our goal is clear: bring together the country's brightest technologists to work with the public service to build a stronger, more effective federal government."
-- The Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant
Biographical note
Associated links
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office
PMO Media Relations: [email protected]
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