Federal Government Services Could Soon Be 'Digital First' & It Means No More Waiting In Line

If you don't like waiting in line at government offices, you're in luck because a bunch of federal government services could soon become "digital first."

That means improvements are expected for Canadian passports, government payments and Service Canada to let you access services online.

Terry Beech, the first-ever federal minister of citizens' services, recently told CBC News that one of the priorities in his new role will be to make federal government services "digital first" and "digital by design."

He also shared that he's open to using new technologies like AI to help improve how the government delivers services to Canadians.

"I'm sure there will be some people that get concerned when we talk about digital first," Beech noted. "Digital first does not mean that we won't have in-person options or options over the telephone. But for those people that are more comfortable being served digitally, making those options available."

The minister of citizens' services said that changes to passports are in the works.

"There's a new intake system that's going to be more efficient," he continued. "We have new printers for the new passports. They're five times faster than the legacy systems."

Also, you could be able to apply for a passport online soon.

"If you think about passport lineups at passport offices or Service Canada offices, in the very near future here, you're not going to actually have to go to a passport office," Beech said. "If you do choose to go to a passport office, the lines there will be significantly reduced because people who prefer to transact with the government of Canada online will have the ability to do so."

There are already plans for Canadians to be able to renew passports online starting in the fall.

Beech said his goal is to make federal government services faster, more secure and more user-friendly for people.

It was announced on August 17 that improvements are being made to Service Canada, related to Social Insurance Numbers.

"Service Canada is committed to its ongoing efforts to improve the delivery of government services," the federal government said.

As part of the government's modernization efforts, Service Canada has improved the online My Service Canada Account to allow anyone with an account to view their Social Insurance Number securely online.

That means when you apply for a new SIN online, you'll be able to view a confirmation of your SIN digitally on My Service Canada Account.

Also, you can view your SIN securely in your My Service Canada Account.

This digital service is meant to improve efficiency and reduce the need for people to visit a Service Canada Centre.

Since you can apply for a SIN online, the latest change to Service Canada can help you digitally self-serve from start to finish during the SIN process, avoid in-person lines, and have access to a digital record of your SIN at all times.

"We will continue to identify gaps and areas of improvement to ensure that Canadians receive the highest quality of service," Beech said in this announcement.

The minister's office confirmed to Narcity that the change to Service Canada is "the type of improvement that represents 'digital first' and 'digital by design'" approaches that the federal government is working toward.