Canada’s Digital Journey (Yes, we’re sorry)

For more than a decade now, digital government teams have been forming all over Canada, enthusiastically adopting philosophies and practices from the UK, Australia and the United States. Each team had a mandate to challenge the status quo and had high hopes for changing how government works.

Recently, though, it feels as though various organizations’ immune systems have fought back (and won). Many digital service teams have been assimilated into larger departments, and those that haven’t been assimilated continue to fight for sustainable investment.

Has the “lift and shift” strategy from other governments failed? Maybe. Is it the end of the digital government movement in Canada? Of course not. Honey is going to reflect on the movement’s past, present and potential futures - along with what it means to get there, the Canadian way.