Service Canada
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Service Canada is part of a Government of Canada-wide initiative to improve the design and delivery of government programs and services to the public by making it easier for people to get what they need, and by making sure their needs are taken into account during every step of the program design and delivery process.
Service Canada officially began operations in September 2005 with a mandate to provide Canadians with a single point of access to the full range of government services and benefits either in person, by phone, by Internet, or by mail. Its origins, however, date back to 1998 when the Government of Canada began developing an integrated citizen-centered service strategy based on detailed surveys of citizens' needs and expectations[1].
As of the end of 2006, Service Canada had partnered with over 14 other departments and agencies to provide access to more than 50 government programs and services. It also had established more than 450 points of service across Canada – many of which are outreach and mobile offices designed to deliver programs and services into rural and remote areas.
These numbers are growing, as the ultimate goal is to provide Canadians with a single point of access to all government programs and services regardless of where they live or how they wish to interact with the government.
Similar initiatives to Service Canada are well-established in provincial jurisdictions across Canada. The goal of delivering citizen-centered service has also been embraced by most developed countries around the world for several years – with Canada consistently ranked as a leader in the field by consulting firms such as Accenture.
Service Canada is currently housed within Human Resources and Social Development Canada, which is a department responsible for running a wide range of programs, services and benefits.
