Government announced today the components of this fall's public consultation on the future uses of digital services and the BC Services Card, providing all British Columbians with the opportunity to have their say.

The consultation process will be made up of three parts: an open online consultation, a BC Services Card User Panel, and a Specialists' Forum.

The eight-week open online consultation will run from Oct. 11 to Dec. 31, enabling British Columbians throughout the province to share their thoughts on the future of digital services. Those who don't have access to the Internet are welcome to mail their comments to the province at the following address:

PO Box 9029, STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC, V8V 9L9

The BC Services Card User Panel, which will be made up of 36 randomly selected citizens from across B.C., will meet over two weekends in the Vancouver area. The panel's job will be to learn about the future of digital services and the BC Services Card on behalf of their communities, and provide recommendations based on what they've learned and their discussions.

Finally, a specialists' forum will take place in Vancouver on Nov. 13 and 14. The Province has partnered with the existing Identity North privacy conference to convene privacy, security and technology experts, along with specialists in the areas of youth issues, people with disabilities, Aboriginal people and other key populations. Together, these specialists will learn about and discuss the Province's proposed digital service strategy as part of the public report.

The plans for the consultation were finalized after government reviewed input on its white paper, "Designing the Digital Service Consultation", published earlier this summer.

Following the close of the consultation process, government will produce a public report based on the results of all three elements which will be used to inform future planning around service delivery and the BC Services Card.

Contact:

Lara Perzoff
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services
250 387-0172