Council approved recommendations to invest strategically in technology that will increase the citizen-centric focus of services and deliver improved service at less cost as the city’s population grows. Staff were also directed to include a technology assessment and business case for reports and recommendations going to Committee and Council, and to review the City’s policy for more open access to public data that will benefit the City and its citizens.

“I am pleased to see the Task Force has presented so many recommendations that can be practically implemented in our city and I’m enthused that these have been passed unanimously by Council;” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “Ottawa is the technology capital of Canada, and it only makes sense to make the best possible use of technology in everything we do and in all the services we offer. We can save money, we can do more, and we can start right now.”

Council also directed staff to bring forward a proposal for using electronic agendas and reports exclusively, which has the potential to save about $150,000 annually in printing costs; directed the City Manager to bring forward a report on the establishment of the position of chief technology advisor for a two-year term who will help Council to drive the implementation of an IT-focused service culture; directed staff to review the City’s data dissemination policy with a view to giving open access to public data, such as transit schedules, traffic statistics, recreation schedules and facilities coordinates, which could lead to the cost-effective development of many community- and user-friendly applications; and requested that the mid-term governance review include an option for the establishment of a committee or subcommittee of Council that will oversee large-scale technology investments.

The Report of the Mayor’s Task Force on eGovernment is available online.

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