Reflections from FWD50 and Canada’s digital government journey Can change actually happen in large, bureaucratic organizations? Is Canada’s digital government journey over, or are we really stuck in a loop? What should we stop, start and continue doing as a movement? I shared many responses generously entrusted to me to…

On how we need to address our strategy deficit in order to intentionally build resilient digital systems, services and teams Last month, I had the honour of being invited to speak at the fifth annual Global Digital Services Convening co-hosted by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose and…

On how it feels like digital teams don’t win most of the time, and so we celebrate our victories, however small they may seem. Background: Five years ago, Katy Lalonde, Katherine Benjamin and I pitched a talk to FWD50 because Ontario didn’t have a learning budget and we really wanted…

On how more than ever, digital government teams need coherent and visible central agency leadership. Also, how almost everything comes down to talent Recently, Sean Boots wrote a very sobering account of the state of public sector tech in Canada, and Paul Craig shared his specific lived experience of how…

On change and how government in a digital era is about resetting the relationship between policy and delivery I often introduce myself in public speaking engagements as someone who is “professionally awkward.” It’s something that is partly born of introversion, but if I am being honest it’s because I feel…

Three months ago, I joined the Canada School of Public Service Digital Academy. The mission, as I understood it? To inspire and help public servants gain the curiosity, competence and confidence they need to make digital government a reality. Our team has been reflecting lots on our existing learning programs…

Preamble: I have been with the Ontario Public Service for a little over 13 years. I never expected to fall in love with being in the public service, but fall in love I did. Deeply. Irrevocably. For better or worse. The following is my advice for those who are just…

Last month, the government introduced the Simpler, Faster, Better Services Act as part of its Budget bill. Since then, our team has received many encouraging messages, and has been grateful to read a few insightful posts about its possibilities, for better or worse. Last month, Deputy Hartley shared her insights…

Update, July 14: The alpha of the Digital Service Standard is live and ready for your feedback and comments. Please do check it out and let us know what you think. Keep reading below for a look at how we got to the alpha. — As we’ve mentioned before, the Digital Service Standard, and the processes that support it, will help to ensure that all digital services provide consistent, high-quality experiences that are designed with the needs of real users in mind.