Question Period Note: GC Readiness For Return to Worksite

There may be concerns that when large numbers of employees return to the worksite or continue with remote or hybrid work, the underlying information technology infrastructure will not function effectively to support them.

• In response to the rapid growth in virtual work, SSC increased government-wide network capacity and improved access to modern collaboration tools
  • SSC is building on these improvements to support future ways of working for employees, including a return to the worksite, hybrid work or remote work
  • With a focus on priority worksites, SSC continues to upgrade networks and modernize boardroom capabilities to better enable collaboration across locations
  • SSC is working with other departments to address their unique needs, while ensuring that tools and technology are in place government-wide to support essential operations and to deliver services to Canadians
  • SSC continues to position the Government of Canada to quickly adapt to constant technological advances

Shared Services Canada (SSC) has taken significant steps to address government-wide technology challenges related to COVID-19 work arrangements, focusing primarily on demands on the government’s network capacity and security, and the functionality of workplace collaboration tools.

Network Modernization

SSC implemented major upgrades to the enterprise network in the summer and fall of 2020. More internet and security upgrades are underway.

More than 3,500 buildings are connected to the Government of Canada network. It is not required, feasible or cost effective to upgrade all sites. Consequently, SSC is working with federal departments to prioritize sites most critical to Canadians and government operations.

Collaboration Tools

Videoconferencing, mostly through Microsoft Teams, has become the main communication channel for employees, given the ongoing requirements for collaboration from different locations.

SSC has established interoperability between Microsoft Teams and the Government’s boardrooms, which total approximately 7,400 across the country.

These technologies use significant bandwidth. As employees return to worksites, the level of service they have come to expect is not necessarily available in all Government of Canada buildings.

SSC issued guidance in January 2022 on thresholds for Microsoft Teams bandwidth consumption to assist departments with managing their users’ experience. After working with PSPC, SSC updated the guidance where departments could establish thresholds for those working on the GC network, while allowing remote workers to fully leverage their available bandwidth, thereby supporting a better user experience for all.

Working with Partners

The work required to implement future worksite strategies is shared with other federal departments. SSC will continue to work with federal departments on their specific needs. Some departments may choose to send their employees back to worksites in advance of the upgraded infrastructure being put in place. These employees will have to adapt their use of collaboration tools. Each department must also engage in proactive testing and analysis of their respective operations.

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