A 2010 Statistics Canada survey found 64 out of 100 Canadians age 16 years or older searched the Internet for medical and health related information. Usage in United States is even higher; a 2011 survey found eight out of 10 Americans go online for health and medical reasons. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently estimated 17,828 health and fitness apps and 14,558 medical apps are currently available for mobile phones. These statistics illustrate how modern electronic technologies such as smart phones and tablets, coupled with social media and the Internet, are rapidly changing how the general public is seeking health information and services.
"We want to work with the ICT sector to draw on innovative, proven industry solutions as we transform the Government of Canada's technology platform," said Minister Ambrose. "Their input is vital to helping Shared Services Canada develop a more efficient, secure and cost-effective IT infrastructure to serve Canadians."
Read more: Shared Services Canada Taps into IT Industry Knowledge
Just over a year later, SSC’s president Liseanne Forand returned to the Government Technology Exhibition and Conference to announce that 6,000 employees have been recruited from various government departments with timelines set for a 2015 delivery.
The University of Regina is about to establish a research chair in e-governance financed with $2 million over 10 years from Cisco Systems Inc.
The chair in the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy will be used to support research into how governments can use technology to drive collaboration and productivity.
Read more: CA: Saskatchewan: Regina university to research e-governance
Much of the costs associated with a “technology roadmap” for 2013 to 2016 involve “sustainment and modernization investments” to get older infrastructure and assets up to snuff, as well as spending on “building blocks” necessary for the city’s so-called Service Ottawa initiative and future eGovernment projects. Streamlining under Service Ottawa makes it easier for residents to do more city business online and is meant to save about $6.6 million a year overall.
Read more: CA: Ottawa: $47M city technology investment needed over four years, plan suggests