Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced the agency and named Patrick Pichette as its chief executive officer. Pichette was Google’s chief financial officer from 2008 to 2015 and has also held senior roles at Bell Canada, consulting firm McKinsey and the venture firm Spring Canada.

One of the agency’s main powers is to use the government’s buying power to support Canadian digital and artificial‑intelligence companies, helping them test, scale and sell new technologies.

Digital Transformation Canada will work to spread digital solutions, including artificial intelligence, across all government departments. The goal is to cut duplicate work, lower operating costs and strengthen Canada’s digital sovereignty and security.

The agency will be overseen by Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound. It will bring together Shared Services Canada and parts of the Treasury Board Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada.

By modernising public‑service delivery, reducing duplication and supporting the growth of Canadian tech firms, the agency is expected to improve outcomes for citizens and give the national economy a stronger footing in the digital age.