Strengthening Canada’s Digital Sovereignty With Open-Source Software

The real power of the Buy Canadian movement in the public sector.

February 28, 2025

Welcome to the late-February issue of the Button Insight Newsletter!

The Big Story

Strengthening Canada’s Digital Sovereignty With Open-Source Software

As Canadian public service agencies (and society as a whole) face growing uncertainty around tariffs and geopolitical tensions, embracing open-source software is becoming an essential strategy to protect digital sovereignty, foster local innovation, and unlock cost savings. By adopting open-source solutions, public sector organizations can ensure sensitive citizen and government data stays within Canadian borders, complying with privacy laws like PIPEDA.

Open-source software eliminates vendor lock-in, offering long-term savings by reducing reliance on expensive commercial software and fluctuating tariffs. It also provides the flexibility to customize solutions to meet Canada’s unique regulatory and cultural needs, without the high costs of proprietary software.

Plus, adopting Canadian-developed open-source tools fuels the local tech ecosystem, creating jobs and driving innovation. Agencies like the Canadian Digital Service have already successfully leveraged open-source tools to build cost-effective, privacy-compliant platforms like GC Notify.

How can you get started?

  1. Assess Existing Infrastructure: Evaluate current systems to identify opportunities where open-source software can enhance efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness.

  2. Partner with Canadian Developers: Collaborate with local tech companies to co-create solutions tailored to public sector needs.

  3. Simplify Procurement: Revise procurement policies to prioritize Canadian-made, open-source solutions, easing adoption for public service agencies.

  4. Invest in Skills Development: Provide government employees with the skills to manage and implement open-source software for long-term success.

  5. Showcase Success Stories: Pilot open-source projects in key service areas and share success stories to encourage broader adoption.

  6. Contribute to the Open-Source Community: Share code and collaborate on projects, helping shape open-source software’s future while benefiting from global expertise.

  7. Look to Europe: Germany’s Sovereign Tech Fund offers a model for funding and sustaining open-source digital infrastructure.

  8. Establish OSPOs: Open Source Program Offices, with upstream contribution policies, can help unlock open-source software’s full potential in the public sector.

Your Event Calendar!

Feb. 28 | Calgary
Geospatial Data and GeoAI: The Coolest Data You Use
An event exploring the latest trends in geospatial data and GeoAI. Join industry experts to dive into how these technologies are shaping the future of data use.
TIME: 4:00 PM MST
PLACE: Untapped Energy, 1900 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 4 | Calgary
YYC Dev Social | Bring Your Laptop and Code
A casual meetup for developers to bring their laptops and collaborate on coding projects. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, it's a great opportunity to connect with others in the local developer community.
TIME: 5:00 PM MST
PLACE: 1410 1 St SW, Calgary, AB
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 5 | Vancouver
Sip & Strategize
A networking event combining great conversation with strategic thinking. Join professionals in the digital and tech industries to sip drinks and strategize about the future of digital innovation.
TIME: 5:00 PM PST
PLACE: The Nest, 88 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 5 | Toronto
Pioneering Change and Shaping the Future of Innovation in Technology
A thought-provoking event focused on shaping the future of technology innovation. Hear from leaders in the tech industry about the strategies and technologies driving change.
TIME: 6:00 PM EST
PLACE: 401 Bay St, Toronto, ON
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 6 | Vancouver
IxDF Vancouver
Join the Vancouver chapter of the Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF) for a community gathering focused on user experience (UX) design. Share ideas, learn from others, and grow your network.
TIME: 6:30 PM PST
PLACE: The Juno Beach Centre, 4180 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 8 | Vancouver
Vancouver Information Architecture Day 2025
An event dedicated to the best practices, tools, and trends in information architecture. Learn from experts and network with peers in the information architecture and UX community.
TIME: 8:00 AM PST
PLACE: Simon Fraser University, 515 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC
COST: Free
Event Details

Mar. 11–13 | Victoria
27th Annual Victoria International Privacy & Security Summit
Join industry leaders and privacy experts to discuss the latest in privacy laws, data security, and cybersecurity. This summit is perfect for professionals in security, law, and tech.
TIME: 8:00 AM PST
PLACE: Fairmont Empress Hotel, 721 Government St, Victoria, BC
COST: Varies
Event Details

Community Engagement

Focus on user needs: Shifting how the public sector funds service delivery

Andrea F. Hill, Director with the BC Public Service Digital Investment Office, offers a good reminder that we need to be intentional in directing our limited resources toward meeting the needs of our users, and not get too precious about the systems we build.

Digital service delivery: End-to-end and front-to-back

Beth Fox, Manager of Strategic Data and Reporting, Canadian Digital Service, shares the importance of understanding and optimizing end-to-end service delivery in government services, focusing on the steps and components involved in providing seamless experiences. This must-read introduces a framework to improve collaboration and reduce redundancies across teams for better outcomes.

Kids’ programming

Shon Hogan, a full-stack developer at Button, is busy applying Button programming skills and leveraging the Button network to volunteer time building an animated, interactive platform for Champions for Life, a Canadian charity teaching kids physical literacy. Take a look!

Help us build innovative technology!

At Button, we’re here to inspire you to make a difference—whether by shaping technology directly or contributing through essential roles that drive impact. Be part of our journey to create meaningful change!

Send your resume to Charlyne at [email protected] and explore the possibilities of what we can achieve together.

Worth Your Attention

What We’re Reading: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working With AI, by Ethan Mollick

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI offers a thought-provoking exploration of how artificial intelligence can enhance collaboration and decision-making in modern organizations. Author Ethan Mollick challenge traditional notions of AI, proposing a future where humans and machines work together symbiotically. The book provides actionable insights for integrating AI into complex systems, making it an essential read for those looking to responsibly harness AI's potential to improve efficiency, transparency, and innovation in public sector operations. A compelling guide for navigating AI's transformative power.

Further Reading

Stay on top of vital digital services news and tips by checking out insights from our previous newsletters!

BE MORE EMPATHETIC: A tale of technology and transformation in public services.

STREAMLINING FEATURE APPROVAL IN GOVERNMENT APPS: The Button secret for streamlining feature approvals for seamless, consistent user experiences across government applications.

AGILE SCALE SCRUM AND USER TESTING YOUR PRODUCT: How to emphasize working in cross-functional teams for clear communication, iterative development and flexible adaptation.

REKINDLING DIGITAL TRUST: Button helps our partners build digital trust with their citizens every day. Learn how with our video, blog and white-paper guides today!

🔥 THE NEWEST HOT BUTTON REPORT: Learn how to rebuild trust with your stakeholders. Download the full, free report now.

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