Agreement forms part of broader pact including cooperation on public service transformation
The UK and Canadian Governments have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on raising the bar for digital public services.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it will involve working together towards four goals: providing better digital public services; ensuring that both support everyone in using the services; promoting economic growth; and using open standards for government information, data and software.
Minister for Digital Matt Hancock (right) said: “Over the past six years the UK has developed a model for digital government transformation that is recognised as among the best in the world. This MoU reflects the UK and Canada’s shared ambition to make sure that digital innovation continues to underpin the delivery of our public services.”
Scott Brison (left), president of Canada’s Treasury Board, said: “This MOU commits us to working together to deliver improved government services to those we serve, and to do so in an open, transparent manner. I’m excited about the potential of what we can do.”
Wider cooperation
The understanding is part of a broader agreement taking in cooperation in areas such as international development, clean growth and climate change, cooperation on defence and security and the creation of a public policy forum for the two countries.
The latter involves the creation of four working groups, one of which will deal with public service transformation and effectiveness.
The other three will cover gender equality, development of skills, technical training and continuous learning, and post-Brexit bilateral relations.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
