Ministerial Conference on Government On-Line

Quebec City, November 5, 2005 -At the conclusion of the first provincial-territorial conference on e-government, held today, Saturday, November 5, in Quebec City, provincial and territorial representatives responsible for e-government issued a joint statement to be submitted by the two co-chairs to the Council of the Federation.

 The conference was chaired by Quebec's Minister responsible for e-government, Henri-François Gautrin, and the New Brunswick Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations and Minister responsible for Service New Brunswick, Percy Mockler. The event also brought together ministers and MLAs from the provinces and territories responsible for e-government and service delivery.

Provincial and territorial governments offer a host of vital services.

The combination of multi-channel services and the use of the Internet and information technology (IT) in government service delivery help improve individuals' quality of life and business performance.

The development of electronic transaction services for individuals and businesses requires attention to a number of issues that are vital to the establishment and strengthening of a relationship of trust between government and citizens.

Privacy, Internet security and stability (spam, cybercrime) are seen as critical by all participants. Freedom of expression, consumer rights, cultural and linguistic adaptability, will help create and maintain the climate of confidence essential to the implementation of government services.

The governments in attendance have therefore agreed to work together, in particular, t

   
• Foster the development of electronic government initiatives and services based on citizens' expectations and respect for social and cultural Canadians' values.
   
• Promote the improvement and use electronic government services.
   
• Foster the interoperability of systems supporting government services delivery while being respectful of each government's jurisdiction and legal framework.
   
• Maximize the use of existing structures through improved access to e-government services while avoiding duplications in government service delivery.
   
• Develop common standards and solutions that support interoperability, notably in terms of infrastructure, security, identification and authentication.

You will find attached the full text of the joint statement.

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Marie-Pier Champagne
Press Attaché
Minister for On line government
Tel.  : (418) 528-5590

Diane Gauthier
Communications Officer
Service New Brunswick
Tel.  : (506) 453-7416