Code for Canada to Develop Digital Tools that Make Government More Accessible
Ontario is partnering with tech leaders to co-found Code for Canada, a new not-for-profit organization that will develop digital solutions to make government services more user-friendly and easier to access.
Deb Matthews, Minister Responsible for Digital Government, was joined by partners from the tech community today at Shopify to launch the organization.
Code for Canada will connect coders and designers with governments to enhance digital literacy and develop technology-based solutions to improve peoples’ lives.
Code for Canada is part of a network of “Code for” organizations that operate world-wide, including in the United States, Germany and Australia. Their work has included:
- Helping communities deliver healthy food to vulnerable citizens
- Connecting job seekers to training and employers
- Improving access to legal support services.
Making it easier for people to interact and engage with their government through digital technologies is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- Ontario will provide $700,000 to help launch Code for Canada and support a fellowship team in government.
- As a founding partner of Code for Canada, Ontario will be the first province to host a team of civic innovation fellows inside government. Fellows are digital experts that work with government teams to design simpler, easier-to-use services for people.
- Ontario’s newly announced Chief Digital Officer will oversee Ontario’s partnership with Code for Canada and other initiatives that help attract, empower and mobilize talent and skills across Ontario.
- Ontario recently announced a new initiative to support students learning coding and computer skills in schools across the province.
Additional Resources
Quotes
Deb Matthews – Minister Responsible for Digital Government and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development
“We start with the belief that government can work better in the 21st century. Like the best technology, our governments can — and should — be user-centred, iterative and data-driven. By bringing top tech talent to the public service, Code for Canada will help transform Canada’s most important government services, and improve outcomes for residents.”
Gabe Sawhney – Executive Director, Code for Canada
“As a proud Canadian company, we saw an opportunity to enhance civic engagement across the country. We believe this initiative will play a major role in redefining how Canadians interact with elected officials. Whether it’s developing an app to improve consultation processes, or building a new platform to track constituent concerns, the opportunities are endless.”
Alexandra Clark – Director, Policy and Government Affairs, Shopify
Photo from: www.thestar.com
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