Blockchain technology innovation and experimentation is at the centre of a major new policy which government departments in Canada will be forced to implement.

The new ‘Policy on Service and Digital’, outlines the future of government service delivery in Canada, with blockchain technology and artificial intelligence the preferred technologies to help drive digital transformation within government departments.

“By modernising government operations and improving our capacity to innovate and experiment with new technologies and solutions, like Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, Canadians will have access to quality government services that are easy-to-use, secure, and most importantly, designed for the people using them,” said Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government.

“We’re doing the hard work behind the scenes to set in place the conditions for truly client-centered service design and delivery, and to deliver better services to Canadians.”

The policy will come into effect in April 2020, allowing time for departments to prepare to meet its requirements.

Canada’s private sector already embracing Blockchain

A survey conducted by Deloitte in 2018 found Canadian companies to be the most blockchain-friendly in the world.

Over 1000 senior executives at companies with $500 million or more in annual revenue were polled in the survey.

51% of Canadian executives said their companies were currently investing in blockchain technology, compared with just 24% of executives based in the United States.

Canadian Pacific joins Blockchain in Transport Alliance

The launch of Canada’s blockchain policy comes just days after Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd announced it was joining the Blockchain in Transport Alliance.

Canadian Pacific is a publicly-listed corporation which owns and operates approximately 20,000 kilometres of transcontinental railroad across Canada and the United States.

“As part of Blockchain in Transport Alliance, we look forward to creating opportunities and innovative solutions that benefit our customers and the broader supply chain,” said Mike Redeker, Canadian Pacific’s Chief Information Officer.

“Joining the alliance is part of Canadian Pacific’s continued focus on developing and supporting technology throughout the supply chain.”