Question Period Note: Update on ESDC’s Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) Programme

The Benefits Delivery Modernisation (BDM) Programme is the largest digital transformation initiative ever undertaken by the Government of Canada. Through a phased approach with an expected completion date of 2030-31, the Programme is modernizing how the federal government delivers Old Age Security (OAS), Employment Insurance (EI) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits, by replacing old systems with technology fit for the digital age.

At its core, the BDM Programme is replacing outdated systems that deliver over $160 billion annually in OAS, EI, and CPP benefits to Canadians. With an estimated cost of $6.6 billion over the 10-year life of BDM, the total investment represents approximately 0.5% of the projected $1.6 trillion in benefit payouts— highlighting the programme’s critical role in ensuring reliable and accurate service delivery.

Through this new foundational system, BDM will scale technology solutions and help address critical risks, while also leveraging technological advancements to improve the client experience, drive productivity, and increase policy agility.

As outlined in the Prime Minister’s Mandate Letter, the government is committed to “[building] the strongest economy in the G7” by “spending less on government operations”, “[becoming] more productive by deploying [artificial intelligence] at scale”, and “removing barriers” to growth. Through strategic innovation and smarter service delivery, BDM ensures the long-term “sustainability of [Canada’s] social programs” while driving a commitment to a more efficient, responsive government that delivers real results and efficiencies for Canadians.

The migration of OAS to the new system (Curam) was completed in March 2025.

Since GoLive in March 2025, the new Cúram system has issued 74.5 million OAS payments, with a total value now exceeding $67 billion, as of January 2026. We are advancing new capabilities on the platform to further modernize service delivery and support a better client experience.

Alongside OAS, progress continues across EI, call centres, Identity Services and Access Management Solution (iSAMS), Knowledge Management (KM), and other priority areas.

Notably, in November 2025, the first EI benefit, Compassionate Care for the Self‑Employed, was successfully onboarded to the platform.

In 2017, the Government of Canada began digitally transforming benefit delivery for key programs at ESDC.

To date, these investments have enabled the implementation of several measures, including the migration of 7.4 million seniors in receipt of Old Age Security from a 60-year-old system to a modern platform that improves service and reduces risks.

Building on the success of the Old Age Security migration, the first Employment Insurance release occurred in fall 2025 with Compassionate Care Benefits for the self-employed being onboarded to the platform.

The Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme will build on this success with future Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan migrations.

In 2017, the Government of Canada began digitally transforming benefit delivery for key programs at ESDC.

To date, these investments have enabled the implementation of several measures, including the migration of 7.4 million seniors in receipt of Old Age Security from a 60-year-old system to a modern platform that improves service and reduces risks.

Building on the success of the Old Age Security migration, the first Employment Insurance release occurred in fall 2025 with Compassionate Care Benefits for the self-employed being onboarded to the platform.

The Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme will build on this success with future Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan migrations

ESDC is undertaking a major transformation through the Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) Programme. By 2030-31, a modern common benefits delivery platform will be used to deliver Old Age Security (OAS), Employment Insurance (EI) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits to Canadians.

Canada’s social services have evolved over the past half century. The Department continues to meet its service delivery mandate across a complex landscape of social programs, but aging systems limit policy agility and efficiency. Over the past decade, ESDC has spent over $1B maintaining legacy platforms with no measurable return. Without BDM, these costs will persist and grow.

The Department is actively managing delivery risks associated with legacy system complexity and service transitions for OAS, EI, and CPP. Measures include modernizing system architecture, streamlining integration, and ensuring operational readiness. Technical safeguards and communications plans are in place to protect timelines and ensure accurate, timely benefit delivery to Canadians.

The BDM Programme will simplify application processes, expand self-serve options, and improve processing efficiency. Clients will experience seamless transitions between self-service and assisted channels. The recent implementation of benefits estimators for both OAS and EI are already helping Canadians plan and manage their benefits.

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