Each year, we go through a long call for papers and invitation process for the GTEC Conference. After 17 years as “Canada’s Government Technology Event”, you can imagine the list of submissions is long and the process for identifying the right speakers for our theme is fairly arduous.

We develop the conference with the support of our Honourary Chair, the CIO of the Government of Canada, Corinne Charette. We also vet the program through our board of governors, a public-private group of senior executives who are actively engaged in government.

The sessions at GTEC 2010 will be focused on a theme of “High Performance Government” which is a very timely theme for federal decision makers, in the wake of the Spring 2010 Auditor General’s Report and the current Administrative Review.

Canada is not alone. Globally, there is pressure on governments world-wide to provide more and better services and to do so within diminishing budgets; doing more with less, while not a new phrase is an accurate one. Doing more with less requires optimal performance. GTEC has traditionally explored the use of IM and IT to enable service delivery, this year we will consider these but look at them within the context of optimal performance.

Through our keynotes, seminars and workshops, we’ll also explore 5 basic approaches to high performance in government:

1. How technology enables high performance - How is technology leveraged at each phase of the management cycle: from planning, to execution, measurement, monitoring, talent management, and procurement?
2. How information enables better decisions - Governments must manage information and data horizontally across departments and between jurisdictions. How must governments address the issues of open data, security and privacy, to make more informed decisions?
3. High performance work cultures – High performing organizations require creativity and leadership from people at every level. What role should the CIO play as an advocate of high performance, and how can the IT/IM communities become agents of change?
4. What makes organizational transformation work – How can people and technology create new organizational structures that permit adaptability and change?
5. How to mitigate risk – If leveraged strategically, IM/IT can be a valuable tool for the public sector to evaluate and mitigate risk. If technologies can lead to better informed policy and service delivery strategies, then how do high performing governments quantify and measure risk?

History has already shown that technology can enable better service delivery, but high performance governments in the web 2.0 world must find new ways to address the human and organizational dimensions of public sector service delivery.
It’s important to note that there are a wide range of sessions you can attend at GTEC, including:

• Free Workshops (no charge) http://www.gtec.ca/conference/gtec-2010-workshops.pdf
• Cloud Camp (no charge) http://www.gtec.ca/conference/educational-programs.php
• Networking events (no charge, TBA)
• Unconferences and Sessions in the Demonstration Suites (no charge, TBA)
• Keynotes and Breakout Sessions (paid program) http://www.gtec.ca/conference/conference-by-day.php
• CIO BootCamp (paid program) http://www.gtec.ca/conference/cio-bootcamp.php

This year, I will be posting a number of speaker profiles, including the session abstract, speaker bio and notes from GTEC on why we believe the speaker is an important addition to the program. I hope these previews provide some useful context for your agenda planning during the event.

The sessions on the program include private and public sector speakers and the real value of the program comes from the significant level of the speakers and the blend of private and public sector perspectives. GTEC has always offered a level platform for dialogue on the issues that matter to government. Our hope is that innovation will come from sharing multiple perspectives, as the solutions to the complex challenges of service delivery can only come through collaboration and partnership.
Please look for our first conference session profile on…

CIO Role: Enabling the Government of the Future

Rick Webb,Chief Technology Officer, Canada, State & Local, Health & Public Service, Accenture

This is my first post on the GTEC blog for 2010. Spring is traditionally the time when GTEC had information to post, so here we go!
Get this…. GTEC has an iPhone app! The GTEC App is now available on the iTunes store as a free download at http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/gtec/id370930820?mt=8&uo=6.

About three months ago, I was approached by Brian Hurley, the CEO of Ottawa-based Purple Forge. Brian had the idea to customize his approaches to iPhone apps for politicians into a tool that GTEC could offer to our delegates. The conversation was a bit of an eye opener for both of us. Brian was already well aware of how his application could draw attention. The buzz from the application he developed for the CPAC Convention in the United States was actually covered on CNN.

Through the conversation, Brian and I laid out the main elements of a tool that could place useful information in the hands of our delegates, and also leverage social media to create a higher level of engagement within the government technology community. While the application is available now to iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users, the goal is to have a BlackBerry version by the time GTEC happens in October.

The application has much of the information and functionality you would find on the GTEC website, but when this information is put into the hands of delegates through their mobile devices, many new opportunities can be created to “connect, inform and engage” our audience. At this point, the application has the following capabilities:

• 2010 conference profile
• 2010 Distinction Awards Profile
• 2010 Exhibitor listings
• GTEC Blog, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Flicker feeds
• Register and Attend functions
• Interactive Maps
• Media feeds
• Social media capability through “Social” and “Engage” functions.

What makes the app a viable option for us is the fact that personal use of iPhones and iPod Touch is dramatically on the rise. Within the technology and government communities, thousands of people are using these devices at home, and are able to carry them at GTEC for their own use. We already have WiFi networks in place at GTEC, making it possible to use the iPod for the conference, and we plan to have devices available (yes, iPads!) for people to try at the event if they do not already own one.

The application will evolve as the event approaches and we acquire more speakers, update our exhibitor and visitor lists, and discover new ways to leverage this tool. For now, I am pleased we have a new tool that could represent a dramatic improvement in the way we communicate to delegates and the ways in which delegates experience GTEC.

Like anything else, the application will be customized and improved as we build out the event.

Log on to the iTunes App store today to download your free copy: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/gtec/id370930820?mt=8&uo=6.

Health Canada, City of Ottawa, Alberta receive four medals each

 

GTEC 2008, last night revealed the medal winners of thirty-five Distinction Awards given at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.  The awards recognized outstanding public sector leadership in innovation, in federal, provincial, municipal and national classifications.  From close to 100 nominations in 2008, the thirty-five medals were given in categories such as International Partnerships, Service Delivery to Citizens and Businesses, and Cross-Jurisdictional Partnerships, to name a few.  

 

Health Canada, the City of Ottawa, and the province of Alberta each took four medals for achievements in categories such as Service Delivery to Citizens and Businesses and IT Operations.  CRA took away two medals for projects in Service Delivery to Citizens and Business and IT Operations. 

 

John Bethel, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services of British Columbia, was given a Gold Medal Leadership award for his outstanding service in helping the B.C. government execute 10 ASD deals worth $1.8 billion, with a projection that they will generate $550 million in financial benefits to the government in addition to significant non-financial benefits.

 

The Judging Process

SCOAP (Society of Collaborative Opportunities and Advancement of Professionals), a non-profit association dedicated to exploring achievement and issues related to the management of information and technology in a knowledge-based society, provides the selection committee, the judging committee comprised of more than 30 members of SCOAP, and the awards methodology to the GTEC Distinction Awards.   Nominations are reviewed in two separate processes, which include the screening and initial evaluation of all nominations, and the selection of Award Finalists. The a full description of the process can be found at http://www.gtec.ca/distinction-awards/judging-process.php

 

“The Distinction Awards celebrate technology and innovation throughout industry and Government, which is driving better collaboration, reducing costs, and improving efficiencies and service delivery to Canadians,” said Kevin d’Entremont, Executive Director of GTEC 2008.  “Many of the initiatives have demonstrated significant change and tremendous innovation.  We are proud to recognize major IT projects and the accomplishments of industry and Government’s top IT leaders, their innovative teams, and their contribution to improve services available to citizens across Canada.” 

 

Please see the following pages for a list of all the GTEC Distinction Award Medalists.

 

¾ ### ¾

About GTEC 2008

After more than 15 years, GTEC is recognized as Canada’s most significant forum on the use of technology to improve government services and operations. The event features an annual Distinction Awards program and gala, a comprehensive Professional Development Forum, and the GTEC Exhibition. The conference program and extensive trade show are attended annually by an estimated 7,000 professionals.  For more information please visit www.gtec.ca

 

 

 

 

Group I:  Federal Awards

Category A:  Service Delivery to Citizens & Businesses

 

BRONZE

 

The Working in Canada Tool
(www.workingincanada.gc.ca/tool)

Human Resources and Social Development Canada
Skills and Employment Branch

 

SILVER

 

Apply for Child Benefits Program – Benefits Online Application (BOA)Team

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Assessment & Benefit Services Branch and Information Technology Branch

 

GOLD

 

First Nations and Inuit Health, Public Health Surveillance (HAS) Capacity Development Project

Health Canada, Alberta Region
Public Affairs, Consultation and Regions Branch

 

Category B:  Internal Business Operations

 

SILVER

 

Electronic Pesticide Regulatory System (e-PRS)

Health Canada
Corporate Services Branch/ Information Management Services Directorate

 

SILVER

 

Containing Costs Through National IM/IT Efficiencies

Transport Canada
Technology and Information Management Services Directorate

 

GOLD

 

IT Sustainability Project - DFO

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Information Management and Technology Services

 

Category C:  IT Operations

 

BRONZE

 

Disaster Recovery for Receiver General and Central Compensation Administration Project

Public Works and Government Services Canadaš(PWGSC)
Accounting, Banking and Compensation

 

SILVER

 

GST/ HST Redesign Project

Canada Revenue Agency
Assessment & Benefit Services Branch and Information Technology Branch

 

GOLD

 

Health Canada’s The Way Forward Initiative - An Enterprise Approach to IT

Health Canada
Corporate Services Branch

 

 Group II:  Provincial Awards

Category A:  Service Delivery to Citizens & Businesses

 

BRONZE

 

From In-line to Online – Restructuring Alberta’s Student Finance Program

Advanced Education and Technology - Province of Alberta
Adult Learning - Learner Assistance

 

GOLD

 

Court Services Online Project Team

Business Transformation & Change Management and Strategic Information & Business Applications
Court Services Branch – Government of British Columbia

 

GOLD

 

Nova Scotia iPHIM Project to deliver eResults

Nova Scotia Department of Health
Primary Health Care

 

Category B:  Internal Business Operations

 

BRONZE

 

Wildland Fire Reporting System - DNR/GNB

Natural Resources, Province of New Brunswick

 

SILVER

 

GEM (Grants Enterprise Management)

Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology - Province of Alberta, Information Technology Management  (ITM) a branch of Technology Commercialization

 

GOLD

 

Facilities Management Information System (FMIS)

Ministry of the Attorney General
Facilities Management Branch

 

 

Group III:  Municipal Awards

Category A:  Service Delivery to Citizens & Businesses

 

SILVER

 

eRide – Online Trip Planner

Works and Transportation, Corporation of the
City of Brampton - Brampton Transit

 

SILVER

 

G.I.S. Flood Mapping Application

City of Medicine Hat
Information & Computer Services (I.C.S.)
Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.)

 

GOLD

 

eFootprint Application on www.ottawa.ca

City of Ottawa - Business Transformation Services
Information Technology Services

Category B:  Internal Business Operations

 

GOLD

 

Social Housing Administration Management Information System (SHAMIS)

City of Ottawa - Business Transformation Services
Information Technology Services

 

Category C:  IT Operations

 

GOLD

 

Mainframe Migration

City of Windsor
Information Technology Department

 

Group IV:  National Awards

Category A:  Information Management

 

BRONZE

 

Ottawa.ca – Usability & Accessibility Improvements

City of Ottawa - Business Transformation Services
Information Technology Services

 

SILVER

 

Accountability Pillar Online Reporting Initiative (APORI)

Alberta Education, Performance Measurement and Reporting
Information Technology Management

 

GOLD

 

SOSS – Sign-Out Security System

British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range
Information Management Branch

 

Category B:  Cross-Jurisdictional Partnerships

 

BRONZE

 

Arts & Cultural Events Calendar (Spotlight)

City of Ottawa - Business Transformation Services
Information Technology Services

 

SILVER

 

Windsor Regional Construction Traffic Management System

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario
Central Region Advanced Traffic Management

 

GOLD

 

Parental Benefit Exchange Project Team

Service Canada
Innovation, Information and Technology Branch (IITB)

 

Category C: International Partnerships

 

SILVER

 

Canadian e-Policy Resource Centre (CePRC)

Canada School of Public Service
Organizational Leadership and Innovation

 

GOLD

 

Health Product Electronic Submissions (e-Submissions)

Health Canada
Corporate Services Branch/ Information Management Services Directorate

 

Category D:  Pilot Projects

 

SILVER

 

Service Qualification and Transition for IT Shared Services

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)
Information Technology Services Branch (ITSB)

 

GOLD

 

NRCan Resource Wiki

Natural Resources Canada
Information Management Branch

 

Category E:  The Human Dimension

 

BRONZE

 

Organizational Readiness Office

Treasury Board Secretariat
Chief Information Officer’s Branch

 

SILVER

 

Research and Development Team/ Creating Innovative Learning Solutions for Maintaining Language Skills

Canada School of Public Service
Individual Learning

 

GOLD

 

Videoconferencing in the K-12 Education System

Alberta Education
Stakeholder Technology Branch

 

Category F:  Unique Achievements

 

GOLD

           

Joint Information & Intelligence Fusion Capability Detachment Ops/Web Support Team

National Defence
Strategic Joint Staff/Director General Operations

 

Group V:  Leadership Awards

 

GOLD

 

John Bethel

Assistant Deputy Minister - Alternative Service Delivery

Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services of British Columbia

 

I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to work with the GTEC team as we ramp up for the October 2008 Conference.  GTEC is the must-attend event for Canadian public sector IT and IM professionals, and as a showcase sponsor it is a great opportunity to meet face to face with clients and hear first hand how technology is directly improving citizen services.

 

My name is Cheryl McKinnon, Director of Collaborative Content Management with Open Text and over the last 15 years I’ve been privileged to work with Canadian-based software vendors who are passionate about making Canadian public sector successful with content management initiatives. Over the next few months, I’d like to share some of the thoughts, trends and emerging best practices in areas of collaboration, technology as innovation enabler, unique trends in public sector, and what Web 2.0 means for government.

 

Though I have spent much of my work life in the technology world, my academic background is in Canadian history and have spent many hours knee deep in boxes in our National Archives.  We need to take care of our electronic heritage. We need to ensure that we can capture, preserve and protect the right information so future historians understand how we lived and worked in the early years of the 21^st century.