In his keynote speech at the federal government's technology forum, GTEC, Tuesday, Mr. O'Brien announced an aggressive plan to turn the city into an Internet-friendly capital that will be the envy of cities across North America.
"My mandate during the next three and a half years is to commence a program to make the City of Ottawa the most sophisticated web-savvy city in North America," he said. "We will apply the fundamentals of web 2.0 to make our site more responsive. ... Standing still is not an option." Web 2.0 refers to the next generation of the Internet, which will use more collaborative technologies, such as those seen on popular websites Facebook and YouTube.
Ottawa has been designated the "Showcase Municipality" at the conference. Mr. O'Brien was asked to speak about the technical achievements the city has undertaken to better deliver services to residents.
Showcase municipalities are selected by a committee of GTEC officials who annually designate a city or province they feel has best used technology to provide better services to residents. This is the second time Ottawa has been honoured. The last time was in 2001.
Mr. O'Brien used Tuesday's opportunity to tout the city's 311 telephone call centre, which helps provide residents with city-related information.
He also boasted about the rollout of high-speed Internet services to all of the city's rural areas as a reason to fast-track online initiatives.
So far, the city has been pro-active in offering online services to residents. Its website (www.ottawa.ca) offers timely information updates, and features an online child care location service and traffic webcams. Water bills are payable online, as are parking tickets.
But, he said, the city still has a long way to go.
Pointing to websites such as Facebook, Mr. O'Brien said the city's presence online must be more interactive and more services must be offered.
"Our challenge now is to think long-term," he told the crowd of about 200. "My children don't know what it's like to not be on the web. We have a new generation of constituents. We have no choice."
He also said he would like to introduce artificial intelligence software to city phone systems to help cut wait times experienced by many. When callers dial the 311 information line, they must wait for an available representative to answer their questions. A computer with voice recognition technology could automatically answer many questions. Only the more complex ones would be forwarded to a call-centre agent.
"Artificial intelligence is the next part of this equation," he said. "That will truly start the breathtaking age of e-government for all of us."
Mr. O'Brien did not say what these new online initiatives would cost, when they will be implemented or whether money has already been set aside.
He wrapped up his speech by suggesting technology renewal is needed in city facilities in order to better streamline paperwork and increase productivity.
"The enemy of all that is good, all that is progress ... is waste," said Mr. O'Brien. "It's an evolution that is going to be driven by technology."
His speech was followed by the opening of the GTEC exhibition floor, where more than 185 vendors showcased their wares to potential government customers.
At the heart of the exhibition is a display dedicated to Ottawa. The city is using the display and its showcase designation to brag about technological advances it has implemented. Officials were proudly demonstrating applications for electronic records management as well as handheld technology for sewer odour management inspections.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Vito Pilieci
Quelle/Source: Ottawa Citizen, 16.10.2007
