Item - 2021.GL24.18

The General Government and Licensing Committee received the report (June 15, 2021) from the Chief Technology Officer for information.

This report responds to the request for the Chief Technology Officer to report back to the General Government and Licensing Committee on public and stakeholder consultations related to the development and procurement of digital infrastructure; and on a request to consult with appropriate stakeholders on the inclusion of a commitment to the City's control and autonomy of its core digital infrastructures.

Digital autonomy is related to some key concepts that are already embedded within the Digital Infrastructure Plan including equity, democracy, transparency, and privacy. To-date, staff have developed a definition for digital autonomy that applies to the municipal government context; and have identified a range of issues that could position the City on a path towards achieving digital autonomy. These issues have been developed in collaboration with the City Clerk's Office and the Purchasing and Materials Management Division.

This report provides an overview of these issues, along with an outline of the public consultation and stakeholder consultation path. The following engagement activities have taken place so far:

- Participation in workshop coordinated by the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights;

- Engagement with Open North, a non-profit organization that advises local government on technology and "smart city" issues;

- Liaison with staff from other leading cities; and

- Meeting with the Digital Infrastructure Plan Community Advisory Group.
 

Further consultation and stakeholder engagement will take place over the summer, including a public meeting on June 21, 2021. Additional consultation, examining digital autonomy in the context of the Digital Infrastructure Plan, will take place in the third quarter 2021 with a further report back to the Executive Committee in the fourth quarter 2021.