Data: A foundation for a digital government

We hear things like, data is the new gold. And other things like, we can’t deliver a Blockbuster government when we are living in a Netflix world. Have you ever thought about how these two ideas are dependent on one another?

Having a Netflix-style government implies that you can get the services that you are looking for in a format that is easy to use, is available when you want it, and is smart enough to know your preferences so that it can recommend other services that are relevant to you.

How do Netflix and other digital companies provide services in this way? By creating a trusted data ecosystem between the company and it’s users. Government needs to create this same unified data ecosystem to provide services in a similar way. If we aren’t treating our data like a natural resource – knowing how to harvest it, cleaning it to create value, and sharing it to be re-shaped into many different products, then it will be difficult to make a digital “Netflix-style” government a reality.

This workshop will present some of the key barriers to the creation of a comprehensive government data ecosystem and leverage the skills and knowledge of the participants to help inform government leaders who are developing strategies and policies related to data and digital government.

Participants will be asked to join subject matter experts responsible for different aspects of data management, governance and use across the government to provide their data challenges, use cases, and scalable ideas through a series of interactive round table discussions on topics ranging from data ethics, to security and privacy, and the talent needed to establish and sustain a digital government.

This workshop is designed to align with the Government of Canada’s new Digital Standards, which focus on providing Canadians with access to services in a way that is user friendly, open, and trustworthy.