2010 Showcase Province: Ontario
One in three Canadians calls Ontario home. Diverse cultural backgrounds make up this vibrant province, a magnet for industry, the arts and innovation. From its varied landscape, to thousands of lakes, to fantastic tourism spots, Ontario is a study in contrasts with much to offer. This year, Ontario is featured as the "Showcase Province" at GTEC. Ontario has been recognized as an e-government leader, ranked third in a global third-party study. Representatives from around the world come to learn from Ontario's leadership in information and information technology (I&IT).
Achievements
Ontario has successfully achieved its target of increasing Ontarians' satisfaction with government services and has become a world leader in delivering services electronically. Ontario has significantly expanded the range of services available online, by email, at kiosks, and through call centres and interactive voice response systems. Almost 75 per cent of government services are offered electronically.
Some examples of Ontario's e-government achievements:
- Since 2007, Ontario has partnered with municipalities on 47 broadband infrastructure projects to expand broadband access in rural Ontario;
- Digital Ontario website was launched to support online investigation into the challenges and opportunities of broadband technology;
- Online processing of Ontario Student Assistance Program applications resulted in one-third fewer staff to assess 150,000 applications per year;
- Telehealth Ontario receives an average of approximately 3,300 calls per day, with more than 43 per cent of callers choosing not to visit doctors' offices or emergency rooms after calling Telehealth;
- Elections Ontario reduced on-the-ground enumeration by 90 per cent by using data from Land Information Ontario;
- Implemented a single computerized case management system for predatory offences in 66 police services across the province, with 3,450 major cases entered to date.
Moving Forward
Ontario has successfully used information and information technology (I&IT) to support internal government transformation. The government continues to use I&IT to support its strategic priorities, transform government services, engage stakeholders, and increase transparency and accountability.
The I&IT organization's Beyond e-Ontario Strategy aims to:
- Enable government and cross-jurisdictional collaboration to drive social development, economic competitiveness and regulatory harmonization;
- Support integrated, cross-jurisdictional service delivery through multiple channels that is customer-focused, seamless and convenient;
- Develop enterprise management systems and approaches that derive more value from investments, e.g. modernize legacy systems, back office re-engineering, horizontal funding, project management and internal capacity building; and
- Connect government and citizens through increased transparency and citizen engagement opportunities.
Keynote address at this year's GTEC
Transforming Government:
Realizing Accountability, Transparency and Improved Governance
Deputy Minister of Government Services, Ron McKerlie, will speak to key challenges encountered by the Ontario government and the solutions created to strengthen governance and begin transforming government. From improved accountability on large-scale I&IT projects to greater oversight and transparency on government expenses, Mr. McKerlie will present a case for bold leadership in public service -- to benefit citizens, staff and the government institutions in which we all invest.
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