THE BIG STORY

Understanding Data Flows: What Your Digital Infrastructure Reveals

You don't need to quit tech to protect your privacy. Just make a few intentional choices, starting with these.

As government agencies accelerate digital transformation, every citizen portal login, service request, and internal collaboration generates data. This isn't just about compliance checkboxes. It's about understanding what your systems collect, why it matters, and how thoughtful governance becomes the foundation for better public service delivery.

Modern data collection extends far beyond names and email addresses. Your digital ecosystem captures behavioural patterns showing where citizens encounter friction in service delivery. It reveals operational insights about system utilization and resource allocation. Contextual metadata strengthens security monitoring. Connected infrastructure generates continuous operational intelligence for predictive maintenance and evidence-based policy decisions.

The question isn't whether to collect this data. It's how to govern it strategically.

Privacy regulations across Canada, the United States, and Europe continue evolving. PIPEDA, provincial legislation like FIPPA and MFIPPA, state-level privacy acts, and GDPR principles all point toward the same reality: transparency and accountability aren't obstacles to innovation. They're what make ambitious digital initiatives possible.

Organizations approaching data governance strategically position themselves to leverage emerging technologies like AI and advanced analytics. They've already built the trust infrastructure required to use these tools responsibly. Privacy becomes a competitive advantage in citizen satisfaction rather than a compliance burden.

The path forward requires intentional practices: comprehensive data mapping, privacy-by-design implementation, clear retention policies, transparent system design, and robust vendor governance. These aren't theoretical frameworks. They're practical actions that deliver immediate value while enabling long-term transformation.

Your technology decisions today determine not just compliance posture, but capacity to deliver better services, operate more efficiently, and maintain the public trust that makes effective governance possible.

Read the full guide. Learn exactly where your data comes from, how regional privacy laws protect you, and the simple steps you can take starting today.

Happy holidays everyone! We’ll see you in 2026!

ANNOUNCEMENT

Button Workshop Series: Volume 4

Smart Grants: How You Can Leverage AI for Winning Applications

📅 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 🕛 9 – 10 AM PST | Online

Due to popular demand, this event is back for a second time! If you missed the first one or are curious about the world of grants and how AI can enhance the writing process, now’s your chance to learn more. 

The workshop will explore practical techniques for integrating AI into the practice of composing compelling narratives, identifying funding opportunities, and refining proposals for clarity and impact. 

With a different facilitator this go around, you never know what new tips and tricks you’ll learn. 

Register now! 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Victoria
January 8 | VIATEC AI Meetup: Business Track - January 2026: Join fellow business leaders and AI enthusiasts to explore practical applications of artificial intelligence in business settings, featuring networking and knowledge sharing opportunities. | TIME: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM PST | PLACE: Fort Tectoria, 777 Fort St. | DETAILS

Vancouver
January 14 | From Campus to Council: UBC Alumni Leading Vancouver's Policy Future: Discover how UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs alumni are shaping Vancouver's policy landscape through their leadership roles in municipal government and public service. | TIME: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM PST | PLACE: Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Dr. | DETAILS

Toronto
January 28 | Service Design Drinks: Connect with fellow service design professionals and enthusiasts in a casual evening setting. | TIME: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST | PLACE: Duke of York, 39 Prince Arthur Ave. | DETAILS

Virtual
January 21 | Empowering Agencies: Transforming the Approach to Compliance, Risk Mitigation, and Investigations: Learn innovative strategies for compliance, risk management, and investigations in the public sector through this informative webinar. | TIME: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST | PLACE: Virtual | DETAILS

Ottawa
February 24-26 | Government Innovation Week Federal - Innovate to Elevate: Unlocking the Path to Progressive Governance: Join government leaders and innovators for three days exploring cutting-edge approaches to progressive governance and public sector transformation. | TIME: Various | PLACE: University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre | DETAILS

WHAT WE’RE READING

Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, by Margaret Atwood

In Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, Margaret Atwood chronicles her unconventional journey from a childhood spent in the wild forests of northern Quebec, where her entomologist father and resourceful mother fostered an unfettered, nomadic upbringing.

The memoir connects pivotal life moments to her iconic literary works, revealing how experiences like a cruel school year inspired Cat's Eye and her time in 1980s Berlin shaped The Handmaid's Tale. Rich with vivid scenes of the natural world, bohemian gatherings, and her lifelong romance with writer Graeme Gibson, the narrative introduces readers to poets, bears, Hollywood stars, and colourful personalities. Throughout, Atwood illuminates the intricate connections between lived experience and artistic creation, offering insight into the workings of one of contemporary literature's greatest imaginations.

Get the book here.

FURTHER READING

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

BUYING CANADIAN IS NOT ENOUGH: A practical technology roadmap for going from foreign vendor lock-in to harnessing Canadian innovation.

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

ESCAPING THE SPREADSHEET NIGHTMARE: A government leader’s guide to making smarter BI decisions.

SUPERCHARGE THE IMPACT OF YOUR DATA INSIGHTS: The uncomfortable truth about how humans actually process information—and what to do about it.

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

🇨🇦 Curious what a Canadian-first tech stack could look like for you?

We’ll happily walk you through three smart swaps that improve resilience, and reduce exposure without breaking your workflows.

Book a 30-minute working session with Button.

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