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Agenda

Tue 12 May 2026

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8:00AM

Registration & Networking

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (60 mins)

9:00AM

Welcome from Public Sector Network

9:00 AM - 9:10 AM (10 mins)

Kamia Sharma Program Director, Public Sector Network
9:10AM
Industry Insights

From Client Zero to Gov 3.0: How Governments can Deliver Better Services with the Capacity they have

9:10 AM - 9:30 AM (20 mins)

Daniel St.George Enterprise Strategy Leader, Consulting, IBM

Governments across Atlantic Canada are being asked to deliver better, faster, and more integrated public services, often with constrained budgets, aging technology, and a stretched workforce. IBM’s Client Zero AI Transformation journey offers a powerful and highly relevant lesson to Atlantic Government agencies: these organizations can use AI, automation, and data responsibly to increase service quality and workforce productivity, not by doing more work, but by changing how work gets done.

In this keynote, we explore how the principles behind IBM’s Client Zero AI transformation translate directly to government. This session highlights how intelligent automation and AI can reduce manual effort, streamline end‑to‑end service journeys, improve decision timeliness, and free public servants to focus on higher‑value, citizen‑facing work. These are the same outcomes governments seek as they transition from Gov 2.0 to Gov 3.0 - intelligent, interoperable, and trusted public services.

Drawing on real transformation lessons, we’ll show how governments can move from isolated AI pilots to driving Government value at scale that supports ethical AI, workforce enablement, and cross‑jurisdiction collaboration. This session promises to equip public sector leaders with actionable insights to drive their own digital transformations, fostering agile, responsive, and cost-effective governance. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how Client Zero can reshape your organization's future.

9:30AM
Panel discussion

From Services to Experiences: How Technology and Innovation are Reshaping the Future of Service Delivery

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM (30 mins)

As expectations for public services continue to rise, governments are being called to deliver experiences that are seamless, connected, and reflective of how people live and work today. Technology offers powerful opportunities to modernize service delivery, but success depends on thoughtful design, cross‑government collaboration, and a clear focus on citizen needs.
This session will explore how digital capabilities are reshaping what citizens expect from government and how leaders can guide this shift toward more integrated, experience‑driven public services.

  • Evolve from traditional service delivery toward cohesive, end‑to‑end digital experiences
  • Apply human‑centred design to ensure services are intuitive, accessible, and equitable
  • Use data and emerging technologies to anticipate needs and improve service responsiveness
  • Strengthen public trust through transparent, secure, and reliable digital interactions
Jennifer LaPlante
Deputy Minister, Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions, Government of Nova Scotia
Alex Ikejiani
Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister of Justice, Government of Nova Scotia
Chris Morrissey
Deputy Minister of the Department of Growth and Development, Government of Nova Scotia
10:00AM
Keynote

From Potential to Practice: Using Responsible AI to Deliver Better Public Services

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM (20 mins)

Arlene Williams Associate Deputy Minister, Chief Digital Officer, Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions, Government of Nova Scotia
Clay Bates Executive Director, AI & Cloud Engineering, Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions, Government of Nova Scotia

Join Arlene Williams, Associate Deputy Minister and Chief Digital Officer, and Clay Bates, Executive Director of AI and Cloud Engineering, to learn about how the Government of Nova Scotia is advancing AI as a practical, trusted capability that helps transform how government delivers clear, reliable online services to Nova Scotians. How governments use AI matters as much as the technology itself. Nova Scotia’s approach to AI focuses on using AI in everyday work to improve productivity and modernize service delivery to foster long-term digital resilience across the public service. Learn how Nova Scotia is transforming AI from an emerging idea into a practical, trusted tool that benefits people, safeguards public trust, and drives meaningful change, all while maintaining accountability, security, and essential human connections in public service to Nova Scotians. The session will cover how the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions CSDS) is: 

  • Deploying secure, approved AI productivity tools within current government platforms 
  • Developing in-house expertise to design, develop, and manage AI-enabled services tailored to public sector needs 
  • Reducing reliance on external supports by strengthening internal capabilities 
10:20AM

Morning Networking Break

10:20 AM - 11:10 AM (50 mins)

11:30AM
Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Chair Opening

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM (10 mins)

11:30AM
Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Chair Opening

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM (10 mins)

11:40AM
Keynote Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Strategic AI Adoption in Government: Balancing Innovation, Risk and Organizational Readiness

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)

Cynde Faulkner Assistant Deputy Minister - Corporate Services and Community Funding (ELG), Government of New Brunswick
11:40AM
Keynote Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Navigating the Digital Frontier: GNB’s Approach to AI and Innovation

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (20 mins)

Tony Daye Chief Digital Officer, Finance and Treasury Board, Government of New Brunswick

As governments accelerate their adoption of AI and emerging technologies, building trust through transparency and governance becomes essential. The Government of New Brunswick is setting the pace by embedding accountability and ethics into every layer of innovation.

This session will explore how to scale digital innovation responsibly and apply new approaches on how you can embed safety, transparency, and collaboration into your tech strategy from day one.

  • Advance AI adoption through clear and accountable governance
  • Reduce risk by integrating ethical safeguards into innovation processes
  • Build secure digital services rooted in citizen trust and transparency
  • Improve cross-agency coordination to align innovation with oversight
  • Scale transformative technologies with control and confidence
12:00PM
Industry Insights Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Leveraging AI and Automation for Personalized Public Services

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)

As citizens increasingly expect intuitive, responsive, and personalized public services, governments must harness AI and automation in ways that enhance service quality and build trust. This session will explore how public sector leaders can move beyond experimentation to implement scalable, responsible AI and automation strategies that improve citizen engagement, accelerate service delivery, and strengthen data-driven decision-making.

  • Using AI and automation to deliver more personalized, citizen-centric services
  • Embedding responsible AI practices to maintain trust, privacy, and transparency
  • Improving service speed and efficiency through intelligent automation
  • Moving from AI pilots to scalable, enterprise-wide service transformation
12:00PM
Industry Insights Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Turning Data into Decisions: Using Analytics to Drive Better Government Outcomes

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM (20 mins)

As governments collect more data than ever before, the challenge shifts from holding data to making it actionable. Discover how robust data integration, segmentation, and analytic platforms can empower public sector leaders to make evidence-based decisions, enhance service planning, and build citizen-centric programs.

  • Turning complex datasets into actionable insights for policy and service design
  • Using segmentation and analytics to better understand communities and needs
  • Applying AI-enabled analytics to accelerate decision-making and forecasting
  • Ensuring ethical, privacy-led data governance to maintain public trust
12:20PM
Panel discussion Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Enhancing Citizen Engagement Through Digital Channels

12:20 PM - 12:50 PM (30 mins)

As digital touchpoints become the primary way citizens interact with government, agencies must rethink how they design and deliver these experiences. Personalization, accessibility, and innovation are key to creating meaningful, inclusive engagement at scale.

This session will explore how to strengthen citizen relationships through digital channels and apply new approaches on how you can design interactions that reflect community needs and drive lasting participation.

  • Increase citizen engagement through targeted digital strategies
  • Personalize online experiences to serve diverse populations
  • Leverage social media, mobile platforms, and AI to expand reach
  • Improve digital accessibility to reduce participation barriers
  • Adapt engagement models to reflect real-time community feedback
Dr. Chris Boulter
Senior Executive Director (Pre-primary to Grade 12), Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Lisa Baker Worthman
Assistant Deputy Minister, Early Learning and Child Development Division, Department of Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Dr Paul Ralph
Professor, Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University
12:20PM
Panel discussion Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Responsible AI and Analytics: Ethics, Bias, Trust, and Regulation

12:20 PM - 12:50 PM (30 mins)

As AI adoption accelerates, public sector leaders must ensure that their systems are fair, explainable, and secure. Missteps around ethics, bias or transparency can quickly erode public trust and slow innovation. This session will explore how you can apply responsible AI principles to build trust, navigate regulation, and advance data-informed decisions with integrity.

  • Improve transparency by embedding clarity in your AI and analytics frameworks
  • Reduce bias in models through inclusive data practices
  • Heighten public trust by aligning AI initiatives with core ethical standards
  • Advance regulatory readiness to stay ahead of evolving policy landscapes
Christopher Clissold
Chief Information Officer, Director General IT, IM Administration and Privacy, Department of Veterans Affairs, Government of Canada
Owen Sagness
Chief Executive Officer, Digital Nova Scotia
Olesia Kazantseva
Senior Technical Advisor, Shared Services Canada
Dorothy Eng
Chief Executive Officer, Code for Canada
12:50PM

Networking Lunch

12:50 PM - 1:50 PM (60 mins)

1:50PM
Keynote Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

How Client Experience Shapes Policy, Regulation, and Service Delivery

1:50 PM - 2:10 PM (20 mins)

Wendy MacDermott Chief Experience Officer, Department of Social Development, Government of New Brunswick
1:50PM
Keynote Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Building Stronger Security Through Government Collaboration

1:50 PM - 2:10 PM (20 mins)

Frank Robichaud Corporate Information Security Officer, SNB Technology Services Division, Government of New Brunswick
2:10PM
Keynote Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

From Principles to Practice: Operationalizing AI Governance in Government

2:10 PM - 2:30 PM (20 mins)

Olesia Kazantseva Senior Technical Advisor, Shared Services Canada
Scott Syms Senior Technical Advisor, Shared Services Canada
2:10PM
Keynote Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

From Insights to Impact: Data-Driven Policy in Early Learning

2:10 PM - 2:30 PM (20 mins)

Lisa Baker Worthman Assistant Deputy Minister, Early Learning and Child Development Division, Department of Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
2:30PM
Keynote Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

PAS: From Crisis Response to In‑House Consulting Capability

2:30 PM - 2:50 PM (20 mins)

Meranda McLaughlin Executive Director, Project & Advisory Services, Government of New Brunswick
2:30PM
Fireside Chat Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

From Data to Decisions: Integrating AI for Smarter Health Systems

2:30 PM - 2:50 PM (20 mins)

Steven Carrigan Senior Director, Data & Analytics, Nova Scotia Health
2:50PM
Industry Insights Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Revamping public engagement in the age of AI

2:50 PM - 3:10 PM (20 mins)

As governments adopt AI-enabled tools to improve digital services, public engagement models must evolve to remain inclusive, accessible, and trusted. This session explores how AI-powered technologies can enhance citizen participation, improve accessibility, and support more responsive engagement — while addressing critical considerations around transparency, bias, and trust.

  • Using AI to improve accessibility and inclusion in digital public engagement
  • Enhancing citizen participation through intelligent, multi-channel experiences
  • Addressing ethical, transparency, and bias considerations in AI-enabled engagement
  • Building trust through responsible, citizen-centered use of emerging technologies
2:50PM
Industry Insights Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Building the Digital Identity Foundation for Data-Driven and AI-Enabled Government

2:50 PM - 3:10 PM (20 mins)

As governments expand data and AI initiatives, trusted digital identity is a critical enabler. This session explores how Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) provides the secure, privacy-first foundation needed to support data sharing, AI adoption, and seamless digital services.

  • Using CIAM to enable secure, consent-based access to government data
  • Supporting AI and analytics initiatives with trusted identity foundations
  • Reducing data silos and identity duplication across digital services
  • Embedding privacy, security, and trust into data-driven government platforms
3:10PM
Keynote Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Building a Resilient Emergency Workforce: Leadership, Recruitment & Training in a High-Risk Environment

3:10 PM - 3:30 PM (20 mins)

Leah Robichaud Assistant Deputy Chief, Saint John Fire Department, City of Saint John
3:10PM
Keynote Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Scaling AI in Government: From Pilot to Integrated, Secure Service Delivery

3:10 PM - 3:30 PM (20 mins)

Valerie Kelly Director of Innovation and Transformation, Government of New Brunswick
3:30PM
Panel discussion Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Future Trends in Digital Government

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM (30 mins)

The future of digital government will be shaped by rapid technological change, rising citizen expectations, and the growing demand for data-driven decision-making. To stay ahead, public sector leaders must embrace innovation while upholding trust, agility, and compliance.

This session will explore what’s next for digital government and apply new approaches on how you can future-proof services by integrating emerging tech, citizen insights, and secure, adaptive systems.

  • Identify the technologies set to redefine public sector service delivery
  • Improve agility and responsiveness without compromising on security
  • Leverage data to drive real-time insights and smarter policy decisions
  • Build services that evolve with citizen needs and expectations
  • Adapt leadership strategies to support innovation at scale
Jennifer Guitard
Executive Director (Acting), Corporate Services, Public Service, Government of Nova Scotia
Valerie Kelly
Director of Innovation and Transformation, Government of New Brunswick
Tony Daye
Chief Digital Officer, Finance and Treasury Board, Government of New Brunswick
Christopher Clissold
Chief Information Officer, Director General IT, IM Administration and Privacy, Department of Veterans Affairs, Government of Canada
Khaliq Khan
Global Lead, Kyndryl Vital
3:30PM
Panel discussion Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Balancing Innovation with Data Governance and Privacy

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM (30 mins)

As governments push forward with data-driven innovation, they face the complex challenge of protecting privacy without slowing progress. Strong governance is no longer a barrier—it's a foundation for responsible, scalable transformation.

This session will explore how to innovate confidently within a privacy-first framework and apply new approaches on how you can unlock data’s value while safeguarding trust and compliance.

  • Drive innovation without compromising on data security and ethics
  • Overcome challenges in balancing accessibility with compliance
  • Strengthen governance to support responsible data use at scale
  • Enhance privacy through advanced technologies and architecture
  • Improve stakeholder trust through transparent data management practices
Lisa Baker Worthman
Assistant Deputy Minister, Early Learning and Child Development Division, Department of Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Meranda McLaughlin
Executive Director, Project & Advisory Services, Government of New Brunswick
Dr Mike Smit
Dean, Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University
Jon Barry
Digital AI Advisor, MNP
4:00PM
Digital Services, Citizen Experience & AI

Closing Remarks

4:00 PM - 4:10 PM (10 mins)

4:00PM
Cyber, Technology, Data & AI Integration

Closing Remarks

4:00 PM - 4:10 PM (10 mins)

4:10PM

Networking Drinks Reception

4:10 PM - 5:10 PM (60 mins)

Questions?

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