Events
|
IM Backstage Pass 2026
November 12, 1:00 to 4:00 pm (ET). From the GC Data Community and Library and Archives Canada: Through practical examples and expert perspectives, participants will learn about requirements for migrating government records in technology projects, transferring archival records from Microsoft 365 to Library and Archives Canada, and advancing data maturity across government organizations. They will also gain insights into key areas of digital government transformation in their fields. This event will offer insights into IM and data stewardship while exploring how departments and agencies can strengthen their IM practices in an evolving digital environment.
|
AI and Productivity: Research, Practice, and Lessons Learned
October 05, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET). From the Canada School of Public Service: This event will present concrete examples of how federal organizations at various technology readiness levels are using AI to improve productivity, including how to identify tangible gains, how those gains are measured, and what factors influence success. Speakers will discuss lessons learned from different use cases, spanning implementation, ongoing use, evaluation and best practices.
Annual Cyber Security Event: Your Best Defence Is You
October 06, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (ET). From the Canada School of Public Service: This timely event will explore how cyber threats are evolving in an AI-powered world, where phishing emails, AI-generated scams, and other sophisticated tactics are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish what is real from what is not. The event will also highlight how public servants specifically can protect the Government of Canada from cyber threats posed by foreign nation-state actors and evolving geopolitical threats, while exploring the impacts of AI on cyber security and how to use it safely and securely.
Policy Community Conference 2026: Reimagining Partnerships for Nation-Building
October 15, 9:30 am to 3:45 pm (ET). The Policy Community Conference 2026, jointly hosted by the Canada School of Public Service and the Policy Community Partnerships Office, will explore ways to simplify policy-making while responding to geopolitical complexity. The event will bring together federal public servants, academia, and leaders from the public and private sectors to further explore partnership opportunities that will strengthen Canada's capacity to turn nation-building ideas into action
Releases
From the Public Health Agency of Canada: Health Infobase - Recent Publications
Visit the Health Infobase landing page for multiple new and updated products released in August 2026, as part of a growing inventory of 190+ interactive and accessible Canadian health data visualization products from across the Health Portfolio and beyond. Contact infobase@phac-aspc.gc.ca for information on publishing Canadian health data on Health Infobase.
Artificial Intelligence
Canada’s Responsible Data Centre Principles
From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: Canada’s Responsible Data Centre Development Principles were launched on September 3, 2026. The principles establish five expectations for data centre development, focused on local benefits, affordability, environmental responsibility, transparency and strategic value.
Government of Canada launches National AI Literacy Initiative
From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:
Canada’s National AI Literacy Initiative, developed in partnership with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), will provide free, practical learning opportunities to help Canadians understand AI, use it responsibly and benefit from the opportunities it creates.
Government of Canada invests in 10,000 AI-related work placements for young Canadians
From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: New funding through Mitacs will help young Canadians gain AI skills and work experience and help Canadian businesses adopt AI.
AI leadership takes centre stage at ALL IN 2026
From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: Canada’s flagship AI conference highlighted new investments, international partnerships and the country’s leadership in AI.
Learning
Course: Leading Through Technology-Driven Change
From the Canada School of the Public Service: Through facilitated discussion and active problem-solving, participants will explore how technology is reshaping government and how leaders can use tools, systems and levers to deliver better services, improve productivity and use emerging technologies responsibly.
Course: Getting More from Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Government of Canada
From the Canada School of the Public Service: This course expands on the foundations of generative AI by exploring its more advanced capabilities and how to use it responsibly and effectively in the Government of Canada. Participants will learn more about the functions of generative AI to help them think strategically and exercise judgment when making decisions around the use of generative AI tools.
Opportunities to participate
GC Data Conference 2027: Call for Proposals
As co-hosts for the 2027 GC Data Conference, we are pleased to invite you to participate in this year’s GC Data Conference 2027: Call for Proposals. This year’s conference theme, "Building Strategic and Tactical Advantage," will explore how organizations are modernizing data foundations, enabling interoperability, and deploying advanced data, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions to support mission delivery, decision-making, and innovation across the Government of Canada. This initiative provides an opportunity to showcase initiatives, lessons learned, innovative approaches, and successful implementation at the GC Data Conference 2027, taking place on February 17 & 18, 2027.
We invite proposals that demonstrate:
- Implemented government innovative solutions, tools, and applications that can be shared with other departments through the conference.
- Industry solutions approved for implementation in a government department within the next six months.
- Academic research on emerging trends, lessons learned, and innovative approaches.
- Government innovation success stories demonstrating how strategic or tactical advantages were created and results delivered.
Proposals will be assessed by conference organizers at DND and CSPS GC Data Community, and selected proposals will be offered speaking opportunities on the second day of the conference.
Submission deadline: October 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
Help CDS deliver better tools for federal employees
The Canadian Digital Service (CDS) is conducting a survey of federal employees to understand how teams evaluate and adopt new technologies. Your input will help CDS expand our reach and provide modern, accessible, easy-to-use products to more people in the GC. If you work in the federal government, we’d love to hear from you! Take the survey here, and feel free to share it with anyone who might be interested. Thank you for helping us improve digital service delivery across the Government of Canada.
Community of Practice on Data and Information
The Community of Practice on Data and Information (CDPI) seeks to optomize the value of data and information as strategic assets by providing a forum for community members to discuss key data and information issues and contribute through policy, advice, research, and professional development. All federal digital, data, and information practitioners at any level are welcome to attend community meetings.
CPDI Quarterly Showcase for October
CPDI Working Group and Communities of Practice meetings
Employment opportunities
Senior Data and AI Policy Analyst (EC-06)
Closes on October 9, 2026. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Data and AI Policy Analyst (EC-05)
Closes on October 9, 2026. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Senior Data Scientist, AI Solutions
Closes on October 11, 2026. Bank of Canada.
Data Scientist
Closes on October 19, 2026. National Research Council Canada.
Looking for your next opportunity?
The GC Data Community team is always interested in connecting with talented professionals. If you'd like to be considered for future employment opportunities with the GC Data Community team, please send your CV to us by email (gcdc-cdgc@csps-efpc.gc.ca) for consideration as vacancies arise.
What caught our attention
Co-developing the Data-Driven Foundation to Support Inuit Children, Youth and Families
October 14, 2026 , 12:05p.m. to 12:55p.m (ET). Join DAMA NCR-RCN for a virtual Lunch & Learn featuring Adrian Cloete, Director of Data Accountability, Strategies and Performance, Indigenous Services Canada.This session will explore the work of the Inuit Data Strategy Working Group and how collaboration is helping improve the collection, sharing and reporting of Inuit-specific child welfare data. Learn how this work is supporting Inuit-driven approaches to child and family services and helping inform policies and practices through better data. Register and join us for this insightful discussion on data collaboration, Indigenous data and evidence-informed decision-making.
From collection to results: The next chapter of the 2026 Census
Collection activities for the 2026 Census are now complete, and Statistics Canada thanks Government of Canada employees for their support throughout the census. The Census of Population achieved an overall response rate of 98.4%, including an online response rate of 88.6%. The self-response rate also reached 91.2%, with more Canadians than ever before completing their census without assistance from census staff. Whether you helped raise awareness, shared census messages through your networks or encouraged participation, your contributions helped make the 2026 Census a success. With 2026 Census collection now complete, Statistics Canada is turning attention to the results. Starting with Population and dwelling counts on February 10, 2027, Canadians will have access to a wealth of new census information throughout the year. To support this next phase, visit the Census Community Supporter Toolkit with ready-to-use articles, social media posts, posters and web graphics that you can share to help raise awareness of the upcoming 2026 Census data releases.
Prime Minister Carney launches Digital Transformation Canada to deliver better, faster, more reliable government services to Canadians
Launching Digital Transformation Canada builds on the government’s commitment to make the public service more productive and results-focused.
Who Gets to Define the Rules for AI? | Cohere
A perspective from Aidan Gomez, Co-founder & CEO of Cohere.
In case you missed it
Watch: Ian D. Shugart Visiting Scholar Lecture – AI and the Public Service: Moving at the Speed of Responsibility
From the Canada School of the Public Service: This event recording features Abdi Aidid, the 2025–2026 Ian D. Shugart Visiting Scholar, who explores how public service leaders must balance innovation and responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence.
Last month's most clicked links
1. Data Rules and Tools Series: Delivering Measurable Value with Data and AI
2. Guidance for Data Reference Standard Stewards
3. Exploring Data Visualization
* Based on unique clicks.
** Find last month's issue here.
Connect with us
Contribute to the next issue
Promote your data-related event, course, project, release or employment opportunity to our 4,000+ subscribers!
We publish the next issue on the last Thursday of the month, with the deadline for content 10 days before publication. Fill out our content submission form, or contact us at gcdc-cdgc@csps-efpc.gc.ca.
|
