Mona Fortier Articles
NEED MINI SPONSOR LOGO
Canadian public service strike ends as deal reached over pay and remote work
The two-week long strike by 120,000 Canadian public servants is ending today after the government and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union reached a May Day deal on pay and conditions. The agreement between the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and employee representatives represents “fair, competitive agreements for employees that are reasonable for…
Digital strategies and human tactics: making technology work in the real world
During a packed evening at the 2022 Global Government Digital Summit, digital chiefs from around the world discussed national strategies and research reports – then a departmental transformation lead’s plea for help really struck a chord. Matt Ross reports “The government needs to focus on the future of digital in Canada,” said Mona Fortier. “Canadians…
New Zealand’s prime minister resigns; Taiwan passes climate bill enshrining promotion of plant-based foods: policy & delivery news in brief
Global Government Forum’s weekly digest of the news you need to know but might have missed. Jacinda Ardern steps down as prime minister of New Zealand citing burnout New Zealand’s prime minister of five and a half years, Jacinda Ardern, announced her resignation on 19 January at the Labour party’s first caucus meeting of the…
Canadian public servants could face discipline for shirking return-to-office rules
The Canadian federal government has said public servants who refuse to resume work at shared workspaces in accordance with its return-to-office mandate could face repercussions from managers on a case-by-case basis. The mandate went into force on 16 January and requires public servants to work in federal office buildings at least two to three days…
Canadian government readies return-to-office mandate in effort to codify hybrid work model
The Canadian federal government will soon require public servants to work from the office at least two to three days a week. The mandate outlining the new arrangement is expected to increase in-person work to between 40% to 60% of officials’ regular schedules. To smooth the transition for departments and employees, a phased introduction of…
Canadian public service headcount set to rise
Canada’s public service headcount is expected to grow to 409,000 over the next five years – an increase of 18,000 personnel on 2021 figures, the country’s parliamentary budget officer has said. In the government’s latest spending plans, Yves Giroux estimated that an extra C$2.3bn (US$1.7bn) was necessary to cover the salaries and benefits of employees…
Biden nominates new head of US tax agency; Australian mandarins confront cost of COVID response to vulnerable citizens: management & workforce news in brief
Global Government Forum’s weekly digest of the news you need to know but might have missed. Biden nominates management veteran to lead IRS US president Joe Biden announced last week that he would nominate Danny Werfel for the role of commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A figure praised on both sides of the…
Canadian government becoming ‘hybrid by design’ says minister in challenge to back-to-office calls
Treasury Board president Mona Fortier has insisted that the Government of Canada is working to harness the best of office and remote working as she responded to calls for business leaders from officials to return to the office. In an article for the Ottawa Citizen, Fortier responded to calls from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s…
Mona Fortier Events, Conferences & Summits - In-Person
Mona Fortier Webinars
Mona Fortier Research
Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
Partnerships
Partner with us to connect with senior government leaders, policymakers, public sector professionals and the organisations shaping the future of AI in public services.
Our partnership opportunities are designed to facilitate meaningful collaboration, knowledge sharing and engagement across the public sector. Whether you are a government department, local authority, public body or industry organisation, we help you share expertise, showcase innovation and contribute to the responsible adoption of AI across public services.
Join the Mona Fortier Community
Be part of the growing community shaping the future of AI across government and the public sector.
Sign up to receive the latest AI news, research, events, webinars and practical insights from GGF and our partners. You'll be the first to hear about new reports, conferences, networking opportunities and thought leadership from government and industry experts.
Latest News
