Canada’s Digital Charter

Canada’s Digital Charter in Action: A Plan by Canadians, for Canadians serves as a comprehensive strategy designed to position Canada as a leader in the global digital economy. This initiative was rooted in extensive consultations with Canadians from diverse backgrounds, aiming to foster innovation, ensure privacy, and enhance trust in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Context and Objectives

In 2016, the Canadian government initiated a broad conversation with its citizens to create the Innovation and Skills Plan, a strategy aimed at building a stronger, more competitive economy through innovation. This plan underscored the government’s commitment to partnerships and ecosystems that support growth across all stages of life and business. Recognizing the increasing significance of data and digital technology, the government launched the National Digital and Data Consultations on 19 June 2018, to delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.

Consultation Process

These consultations engaged a wide array of participants, including small business owners, multinational corporations, students, educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Through these dialogues, Canadians expressed both optimism about the potential of digital technologies and concerns about privacy, data security, and the future workforce’s readiness. The feedback highlighted several critical areas, including the need for youth preparedness, continuous skill development, and digital inclusivity.

Key Concerns and Priorities

One of the primary concerns was ensuring the responsible use of data. While data holds the potential to drive groundbreaking innovations in fields like robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), Canadians emphasized the necessity of maintaining robust privacy and security measures. Trust and transparency emerged as crucial elements for fostering an environment where digital advancements could thrive without compromising individual rights.

Additionally, there was significant concern about the online proliferation of violent extremist content. The government’s response included participating in global initiatives like the Christchurch Call to Action, aimed at eliminating terrorist and violent extremist content from the internet.

Vision for a Digital Canada

The Digital Charter outlines a principled approach to digital and data transformation, focusing on trust, privacy, and inclusivity. It aims to build an innovative, people-centered, and inclusive digital economy by leveraging Canada’s strengths and addressing the unique challenges of the digital era. This approach includes:

• Ensuring that Canadians are well-prepared for the future workplace through continuous skill development and digital literacy.
• Supporting businesses, particularly SMEs, in adopting digital technologies to enhance their competitiveness.
• Maintaining a high standard of privacy and trust in the management of personal data.
• Promoting digital inclusivity, ensuring that all Canadians, including those in rural and remote areas, can participate fully in the digital economy.

Implementation and Ongoing Engagement

The government continues to engage with Canadians to refine and implement the principles outlined in the Digital Charter. This involves examining the viability of changes to existing regulations, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and exploring new frameworks to ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of digital innovation while safeguarding privacy and trust.