Honourable senators, the Auditor General of Canada has just sounded the alarm on federal government inaction in the delivery of effective and cost-efficient digital services to Canadians. The findings of Report 7, Modernizing Information Technology Systems, and Report 8, The Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme, reaffirm why I introduced Motion No. 107 in this chamber. They also highlight the immense work still needed to advance a whole-of-government approach to modernizing digital service delivery.

Report 7 focused on the Treasury Board of Canada and Shared Services Canada’s efforts to drive IT transformation across all departments and agencies efficiently. The report found that in the 24 years since aging IT systems were identified as a significant service delivery risk, both Liberal and Conservative governments have failed to implement an effective strategy to digitize service delivery across all departments. Additionally, only 38% of the government’s IT systems were in good health. This means that 6 out of 10 applications remain in poor condition because they are running on highly risky, aging infrastructure.

Furthermore, one third of mission-critical applications — essential to the health, safety, security and economic well-being of Canadians — are still considered in poor health. Without decisive action, this government is set to miss its own target of having 60% healthy applications by 2030.

Colleagues, think about what this means for the millions of Canadians who are trying to access benefits from the government, especially our seniors or those whose jobs are insecure.

Report 8 focused on the Benefits Delivery Modernization program and it showed that a lack of action could jeopardize $125 billion in Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan payments and $25 billion in Employment Insurance benefits in this current fiscal year.

It’s crucial for this government to act collaboratively to deliver the highest standards of services to Canadians. Doing so will require the Treasury Board to adopt key performance indicators and standards centred on citizen experience, security and ongoing agility. This will also require departments and agencies to collect data needed to assess and continuously improve the citizen experience. As legislators, we can also examine existing legislation to address potential barriers to the adoption of digital government services and learn from successful jurisdictions.

Colleagues, the Auditor General recently said that “. . . the government should not need a crisis to understand the importance of prompt action.” I wholeheartedly agree. I am optimistic that the new President of the Treasury Board, Anita Anand, and Minister of Citizens’ Services, Terry Beech, will take the recommendations in these reports, and the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report last month, to act decisively on this all-important issue. Canadians are depending on their leadership.

Thank you, colleagues.