code for canada’s
Fellowship
program
2017–2021
Accelerating digital transformation in government one project at a time
In 2021, we slowly sunset our flagship program: the Code for Canada Fellowship. Running from 2017 to 2021, the Fellowship embedded 50+ digital professionals, or “fellows,” within 16 different government projects to help their public sector partners advance their digital knowledge while co-creating innovative digital solutions.
These teams of product managers, designers, and developers worked on everything from helping the City of Toronto provide better access to housing, to ensuring veterans got quicker and easier access to their benefits. Together, with their pioneering public sector partners, they built digital products and services that improved lives while accelerating digital transformation in government.
So why did we say goodbye? Following the Fellowship's core principles meant being responsive to our "user" needs. Partner and fellow feedback guided the evolution of the program into a more custom, flexible experience that's opened up new opportunities for us to advance our mission.
But none of the work we do today would be possible without the foundations of the Fellowship, and the incredible work of the fellows that were part of it.
On this page you’ll find everyone who participated in the program, and the digital solutions they were able to create. We hope you’ll take a moment to explore.
COHORTS
PARTNERS
FELLOWS
PROJECTS
of our fellows chose to stay in government after their fellowship
📖 Read more!
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The Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development wanted to build a digital tool to improve adults’ education experience. They brought in a team of fellows to help make it happen. The team developed a tool that helps learners identify and access relevant training programs, making it easier for them to take the next step toward further education.
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Veteran Affairs Canada’s Online Services team requested the Canadian Digital Service’s help in developing “Benefits at a Glance,” a web-based directory of all Veteran Affairs Canada Benefits. The CDS agreed and partnered with us to bring a team of fellows to tackle the project.
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Meet the OMAESD team and the CDS team in their own words
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Read how insights from user research helped improve the adult education experience
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Fellows at the City of Toronto Transportation Services contributed to Toronto’s Vision Zero road safety plan by prototyping innovative data products that better engaged residents and key stakeholders.
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Fellows at Transport Canada conducted user research with drone pilots and prototyped digital tools to help them fly safely and in accordance with new regulations.
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Fellows at the Public Service Commission of Canada helped deliver a more modern, inclusive, accessible and user-centred experience for Canadians applying for jobs in the federal public service.
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Read about the Transport Canada fellows’ user research into drone pilots and watch them demo their final tools
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Watch the PSCC fellows’ demo their tool that helps applicants apply for federal jobs
📺 Watch the TTS team demo their tool which leverages traffic data to let city staff make better decisions about road safety
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“The friendship and opportunity to showcase the impact our team could have at the federal level”
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“On-boarding with my cohort and the outcomes of our time with our partners”
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“Being exposed to how government operates and finally feeling like I might be able to make an impact in my career”
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“I was invited to give an ignite talk at the department and their partners’ innovation event. It was really memorable because it felt like they respected and appreciated me enough to give me space to speak in their space”
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Fellows worked with Toronto’s Shelter Support and Housing Administration to design a digital solution that helped city staff find stable, permanent housing for residents experiencing homelessness.
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Fellows’ worked with Public Services and Procurement Canada to help reimagine the government travel experience, so public servants can spend less time booking and expensing travel and more time helping residents.
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Fellows’ worked with the National Energy Board in Calgary to help make data about important energy projects more accessible for Canadians.
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Fellows worked with the Public Health Agency of Canada to help modernize the department’s granting process, creating a better experience for users and enabling PHAC’s partners to focus on improving health outcomes in their communities rather than filling out forms.
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Read about the PSPC team’s work and 📺
watch them demo their tool which cuts down on the time it takes public servants to book travel
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Read about the TSSHA team’s work and 📺
watch them demo their tool which helped city staff find housing for residents in need
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Read about the CER team’s work and 📺
watch them demo their tool which makes information about energy projects accessible to the public
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Read about the PHAC team’s work and 📺
watch them demo their tool which modernizes the department’s granting process
of fellowship alumni surveyed said participating in the Fellowship made them more likely to consider a career in government
of fellowship alumni surveyed felt the Fellowship was an important step in their career journey
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Fellows at Transport Canada’s Intermodal Surface Security & Emergency Preparedness Unit helped adapt and improve the security clearance process for employees at our ports and airports. They created a better experience for workers, reduced costly delays, and supported the security of our national transportation network.
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Fellows at the
Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs supported provincial growers by making data about pests and crop threats more integrated, accessible and actionable.
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Fellows’ worked with Public Services and Procurement Canada to help reimagine the government travel experience, so public servants can spend less time booking and expensing travel and more time helping residents.
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Fellows with Transport Canada’s Marine Safety Unit helped the Ministry ensure workers on our waterways were properly trained and certified. They helped transform the in-person, pen and paper certification process into a simple and secure digital experience for both seafarers and staff.
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Watch the TC SS team demo their tool which helped modernize the department's security screening program
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Watch the TC MS team demo their tool which helped Canadian seafarers get certified
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Watch the MC team demo their tool which assisted the inspectors who protect Canadians from mis-measurement in the marketplace
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Fellows at the
Canada Energy Regulator (CER) researched and prototyped new digital engagement tools. Their work supported and enhanced how the CER consults with stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples and the public on important energy projects.
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Every year, between 10,000 to 12,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces leave the military and re-enter civilian life. Code for Canada fellows with the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) built tools to make the experience of transition more user-centred and effective. Their work helped outgoing members access training, healthcare and other services they need to take their best next step into the future.
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Fellows with Employment and Social Development Canada explored how emerging technologies and methods could reshape the way social benefits are delivered to Canadians — both on the back-end of policy, and the front-end of user experience.
