Question Period Note: Benefits Delivery Modernization Overview

Outlining Shared Services Canada’s (SSC) role in the delivery of the Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) program at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

• Technology and systems modernization are a fundamental components to advancing the government’s online benefits delivery of programs and services to Canadians, such as Old Age Security, Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan
  • Shared Services Canada’s role in support of Employment and Social Development Canada’s Benefits Delivery Modernization initiative is primarily focused on providing the underlying cloud connectivity and associated procurement vehicles
  • Shared Services Canada is supporting foundational infrastructure development. It has the main responsibility to design and modernize the digital infrastructure to support benefits delivery modernization through rigorous project planning, oversight, and governance
  • Shared Services Canada continues to work in close collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada to provide guidance and advisory services on the various components comprising the digital solution

If pressed:

• The first phase of this initial focus on the digital modernization of the Old Age Security benefit
• Shared Services Canada has a dedicated team collaborating with Employment and Social Development Canada to ensure successful programme delivery

Overview

Benefits Delivery Modernization is a large-scale transformation project, led by Employment and Social Development Canada to address their aging benefits applications and infrastructure. The Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) programs are currently supported by overly complex systems and processes, which are the result of incremental changes, extensions and layers being added to systems, some of which were designed in the 1960’s and 1970’s. While notable improvements have been made over time, underlying complexities have not been Benefits Delivery Modernization addressed.

Benefits Delivery Modernization is a ten-year transformation initiative that focusses on the modernization of the benefit delivery services for EI, OAS, and CPP. It is a business-led transformation to modernize benefits service delivery and develop a more modern and digital client and employee experience. The resulting platform is being created to support this demanding and dynamic business environment and future service delivery expectations. By 2030, the new Benefits Delivery Modernization solution will provide an easy-to-use, integrated and secure cloud-based platform that is agile, adaptable and responsive to future technological innovations and policy changes. The project is currently in the planning phase and the current focus is the delivery of a new OAS Release. OAS Release 1 is expected to be launched by August 2023, with subsequent releases to follow.

Roles and Responsibilities by Department

Shared Services Canada

• Project engagement and oversight for cloud platform integration
• Engagement and integration on key Benefits Delivery Modernization -related initiatives, such as contact centre procurement and identity management solutions
• Ongoing support for key infrastructure and solution modernization
• Providing insight, feedback and guidance to Employment and Social Development Canada throughout the life cycle of the programme and participating in the programme governance
• Engagement with subject matter experts internally and within industry to support Benefits Delivery Modernization

Treasury Board Secretariat

• Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada provides the required oversight and funding for the project to Employment and Social Development Canada and Shared Services Canada

Employment and Social Development Canada

• ESDC is responsible for the management and support of the newly built applications and their data

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