2020 presented some challenges no one saw coming. But, it also afforded us an opportunity to embrace agile development as we began to tackle all of the new and often urgent COVID-19-related services. Now that we’ve got both feet into the new year, we’re looking forward to delivering more digital services and improving our existing services.
This is our quarterly update on what we’re working on in terms of the government’s:
- websites;
- citizen engagement;
- open data; and
- online services.
Websites
Yukon.ca
We’ve rolled out our Phase 7 release of Yukon.ca. Our improvements include:
- a better search experience;
- scheduled publishing;
- design and accessibility enhancements; and
- many small but significant changes to different page templates.
We’ve also added public engagements to Yukon.ca.
Remaining boutique websites
In October we successfully transitioned all government department websites to Yukon.ca. During this period we kept track of other public-facing websites and online services that the government has built and continues to operate. With the help of department staff, we discovered over 350 digital properties in various states of use and management. We’re currently analyzing these properties with the plan to create governance and a decommission or management plan for each website or service.
Citizen engagement
The government’s engagement pages are now on Yukon.ca and departments can use our new citizen engagement platform called Bang the Table.
Open data
The open data site is a single point of access to open data the Government of Yukon produces.
We’re completing a review of an update to the back end of the open data portal and anticipate launching in March. This update, while not changing the end-user experience, will provide better content management functionality to the back end of the portal and allow for a more efficient data loading and management functionality.
Online services
We’re currently working with departments to deliver the following online services.
511 Find out highway conditions
The government is looking to replace its 511 system into a next generation 511 Advanced Traveller Information Management System. This would replace and improve upon the existing 511 Yukon platform, increase efficiencies on data management and provide a safety-driven, user-friendly interface to the public. 511 Yukon solution is an integral part of the territory’s future long-term transportation strategy.
The government has issued a negotiated request for proposals (RFP) and anticipate reviewing and awarding to any successful proponents in the coming weeks.
Class 1 minerals modernization
This service has been live for 3 years and we’re continuing to improve it. We deployed Phase 4 improvements in January.
COVID-19 related online services
Since our last update post in October, we’ve launched the following COVID-19 online services:
- self-isolation SMS notification service (launched);
- Get a COVID-19 test result (alpha); and
- Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment (launched).
Digital Marketplace
The Digital Marketplace is an online tool for low-cost, fixed-scope software development procurement targeting the Yukon developer community. This tool aims to replace a number of the current direct awards with an open process that’s better for all involved. We expect to launch it this spring.
Donate to Yukon Archives
This service helps the public to donate materials to Yukon Archives. We’re working on improving the form and workflow to better align with Yukon Archives’ processes. This update will be live in the coming weeks. Find out about donating to Yukon Archives.
Election results and electoral district information
We’re working with Elections Yukon to look at options to present:
- live election results;
- a list of candidates based on electoral district; and
- electoral district voting locations.
Energy efficiency rebate service
This service will allow Yukoners to apply for an energy efficiency rebate online and conduct an energy audit of their home. We’re currently working on developing the content for this service and planning out usability testing. If you’re interested in testing out this new service, email eservices@yukon.ca.
Family Mediation service
This will be an online service to help families initiate the mediation process themselves. It will help them complete an agreement as much as possible before they need to engage a mediator. This fiscal year we’ll issue an RFP to purchase the service.
First Nations Business Registry
This public registry will be a list of Yukon First Nations businesses. Yukon First Nations business owners will be able to add their information to the registry and the public can view the listings. This registry will be used for certain government procurements and contracts.
Working with the project team, we’ve developed wireframes for this service and we’re hiring a vendor to build it. We expect the 1st version of this service to launch this spring.
Improve online access to all government services
We’re working on new options for citizens to sign into the government’s online services. This will be a single online portal providing access to:
- online services;
- information about services; and
- statements of how services share personal information.
Regulations for the new ATIPP Act will guide this implementation, and we’re hoping to launch the service in the coming months.
Kindergarten pre-registration
We’re looking at rebuilding the current online Kindergarten registration system. We hope to have a renewed service live for parents and guardians to use for the next student intake.
Legislative drafting and publishing (iLaws)
We’re developing a new system which will enable us to publish up-to-date versions of acts and regulations more efficiently. We’re wrapping up the review of the new site and completing the legislative drafting component. We expect this all-digital service to go live in May.
Liquor licensing, inspections and permitting
This is an online service for users and people who run facilities where liquor is served or sold. The public and businesses will be able to apply for liquor licenses. The government will be able to approve, issue and enforce licenses. This service has undergone a beta service maturity assessment and is planned to go live in March.
Lotteries Yukon digital service transformation
We’re developing a system that lets users apply online to lotteries funding programs. This will also allow staff to manage these applications and their funding programs more efficiently. We’ll be conducting an alpha service maturity on this service later on this month.
Make an ATIPP request
We’re making changes to the existing ATIPP request service. These changes will meet the requirements of the new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulations.
We’re working with a vendor to build a new online interface for the service. The updated service is planned to launch in March.
Open information
The government’s open information portal will support our commitment to proactive disclosure. This means the government releases information before it’s requested. The portal will include government reports and publications and be a companion to open data. We’ve completed the beta service maturity assessment and plan to launch the portal in March. After the launch, we’ll continue to work on the portal behind the scenes as we develop the tools for departments to securely add their open information content.
Pay rural property tax online
We’ve hired a vendor to make improvements to the existing online service to pay rural property tax. This includes updating the back-end technologies we use to process payments. We expect to launch these improvements in time for payments to be made during 2021.
PHA Stabilization
This project is the continuation of stabilization and improvements to the POSSE platform. This is mostly used for the licensing and lottery sign up process and to address the operational requirements for the payments for hunting, fishing, and camping licences.
Professional and regulatory licensing system
This service will allow users to apply for professional licences online, or view a list of licensed Yukon professionals. The project team is working on securing funding to move the project forward. This project will take a phased approach over the next 2.5 years.
Register a child for the school bus
This online service will allow parents and guardians to register a child to take a school bus. We’re currently working on a negotiated RFP. In addition to improving the registration process, the new online solution is expected to provide improved routing and scheduling and more information about bus status to riders. We expect this service to partially launch in time for the fall 2021 school year.
Road trip app
This is a driving app aimed at tourists and anyone travelling in Yukon. It highlights all of the features and amenities in Yukon and it’s available in the iOS app store and Google Play.
Student Financial Assistance
This is an online system that will allow students to apply for financial assistance online. Using the system staff will be able to:
- process applications;
- provide funding to students; and
- generate reports.
Financial assistance will include:
- Yukon Grant;
- Student Training Allowance;
- Yukon Excellence Award;
- 4 scholarships;
- full- and part-time Canada student loans; and
- Canada student grants
We’ve enlisted a vendor to modernize the forms and front end of the platform, including determining which programs a student is eligible for. Back-end work will include an improved administrative interface to allow the Student Financial Assistance office to transition to the online application, assessment and payment process.
Service modernization
We’ve begun making short-term improvements to modernize how we manage government forms and other services. This will include internal processes, such as tracking project status and budgets. It will also include external-facing updates to how government forms are requested, updated, tracked and completed.
YuDriv system replacement
This is a single system that will replace multiple existing systems the Government of Yukon, City of Whitehorse Bylaw and the RCMP use. This is a 3-year project and the public-facing parts of this service will be our initial focus.