Advocating for Open-Source in Canadian Government Technology

Robin Galipeau, Managing Partner at OpenPlus.ca, urges Canadian governments to prioritize open-source technology in response to growing concerns over reliance on U.S.-based proprietary software amid ongoing trade tensions. Highlighting the security risks of foreign-controlled platforms, Robin advocates for increased investment in open-source solutions, emphasizing their transparency, cost efficiency, and collaborative benefits. While several Canadian government websites, including those of CSE, RCMP, and Transport Canada, already use open-source Drupal, the central www.canada.ca platform operates on the U.S.-based Adobe AEM. 

This contrasts with countries like France, Australia, and many U.S. government agencies that have adopted Drupal. Robin points to Switzerland’s mandate requiring all government software to be open-source as a model for Canada to consider. OpenPlus.ca has contributed significantly to public open-source development, pledging an additional $1 million over two years to support Canadian Digital Services and expand enterprise-class open-source platforms. He argues that embracing open-source will enhance security, protect taxpayer investments, and strengthen the Canadian digital economy.