Liam
Liam
Co-Founder of Metateic and the CEO

What Ontario's IT Standards Mean for Software Vendors (and Why They Matter)

What Ontario's IT Standards Mean for Software Vendors (and Why They Matter)

The Government of Ontario is actively engaged in a profound digital transformation, striving to deliver services that are “Simpler, Faster, Better” for its citizens and businesses. This ambitious objective is underpinned by foundational legislation, notably the Simpler, Faster, Better Services Act, 2019. This initiative represents more than a mere technological upgrade; it signifies a fundamental shift in how public services are conceived, designed, delivered, and consumed.

For software vendors, this evolving landscape presents both significant opportunities and rigorous demands. To successfully engage with and provide solutions to the Ontario public sector, understanding and adhering to its comprehensive suite of IT standards is not merely a suggestion; it is an essential prerequisite for market entry and sustained success.

The Pillars of Ontario’s IT Governance

GO-ITS: The Foundational Framework

The Government of Ontario Information and Technology Standards (GO-ITS) are the official publications that encapsulate the standards, guidelines, technical reports, and preferred practices adopted by the Government of Ontario. These standards cover an extensive range of IT domains, ensuring a cohesive and secure technological environment across the public service.

This comprehensive framework includes:

  • Practice Standards: Govern operational processes within the Ontario Public Service (OPS), such as Enterprise Change Management, Incident Management, and Release Management
  • Security Standards (GO-ITS 25.x series): Define general security requirements for safeguarding the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of government networks and systems
  • Data Structure Standards: Include metadata standards and web standards for corporate functionality, accessibility, and visual consistency
  • Technology Standards: Cover technical specifications for various infrastructure components

Digital Service Standard (DSS): User-Centricity and Agile Delivery

The Digital Service Standard articulates 13 principles designed to guide Ontario ministries and agencies in building digital services that are “simpler, faster, and better”. These principles fundamentally reshape how digital products and services are developed and delivered.

Key principles include:

  • Understand users and their needs: Conduct in-depth user research to inform design and drive continuous iteration
  • Establish the right team: Build sustainable, multidisciplinary, and empowered agile teams
  • Be consistent: Use the Ontario Design System and Ontario.ca as the primary platform
  • Make it accessible and inclusive: Adhere to WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards
  • Be agile and user-centred: Promote iterative development and continuous improvement
  • Embed privacy and security by design: Implement appropriate measures from the outset
  • Use open standards and common platforms: Foster reusability and interoperability

Digital and Data Directive, 2021: Procurement and Open Data

Ontario’s Digital and Data Directive strengthens the principles outlined in the DSS. It explicitly states that digital services provided by ministries and provincial agencies must adhere to the Digital Service Standard. Crucially, ministries must include DSS requirements in their procurement documents, with provincial agencies encouraged to do so as a best practice.

Furthermore, all ministry digital services and IT projects exceeding $1 million are subject to evaluation against the DSS through established digital and IT governance processes.

The directive also establishes the “open by default” principle for government data assets, requiring transparency, open formats, and publication via the Ontario Data Catalogue.

AODA: Ensuring Inclusive Software

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) mandates that service providers ensure their “goods, services, and facilities” are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the Information and Communication Standards apply directly to digital communications, encompassing websites, mobile applications, and web-delivered documents.

Organizations are required to ensure their web content complies with WCAG 2.0 Level AA. This comprehensive requirement extends to accommodating a wide range of disabilities, including visual impairments, hearing impairments, mental health disorders, learning disabilities, neurocognitive differences, and physical or mobility disabilities.

Non-compliance with AODA carries severe financial penalties: corporations can face fines of up to $100,000 CAD per day, while directors and officers can be fined up to $50,000 per day, with fines accumulating until violations are resolved.

Cloud First Principles: GO-ITS 25.21

The GO-ITS 25.21 standard formalizes the “Cloud First” approach as the default strategy for the Government of Ontario. This means that cloud services should be the primary consideration for new or upgraded services within the OPS.

The standard emphasizes a risk-based approach to cloud adoption, advocating for:

  • Designing solutions specifically for the cloud
  • Maximizing utilization of cloud functionality
  • Implementing real-time monitoring
  • Ensuring strict compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including FIPPA

What These Standards Mean for Software Vendors

Designing and Developing Compliant Software

Software development for the Ontario government must embed compliance from the earliest stages of design. This proactive approach ensures that solutions are inherently aligned with the government’s principles.

User-Centricity and Accessibility by Design: The DSS places the user at the forefront of development. This requires vendors to conduct extensive user research to deeply understand the needs and behaviors of the diverse Ontario public, including those with varying digital skills and access levels. Software must be designed iteratively, with continuous testing and feedback loops.

Crucially, AODA mandates that all digital services must comply with WCAG 2.0 Level AA. This means accommodating visual, hearing, cognitive, and physical disabilities through features like proper color contrast, semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, and alternative text for images.

Security and Privacy by Design: Security and privacy are non-negotiable foundations for government IT. The GO-ITS 25.x series defines general security requirements based on ISO/IEC 27002:2013, covering access control, operations security, and information systems acquisition, development, and maintenance.

Embracing Open Standards and Reusability: Ontario’s Enterprise Architecture Principles promote “reuse before buy and buy before build”. The DSS further encourages the use of open standards and common government platforms. For software vendors, this means developing solutions that are modular, interoperable, and built with open APIs.

Agile Methodologies and Continuous Improvement: The DSS explicitly advocates for designing and building services using an agile and user-centered approach, breaking work into smaller iterations for continuous improvement. This signals a clear shift away from traditional waterfall development.

Data Management and Governance Obligations

The handling of data within the Ontario government is subject to stringent regulations, demanding a high level of transparency, security, and accountability from software vendors.

Data Stewardship, Transparency, and De-identification: The Digital and Data Directive mandates that ministries and provincial agencies be fully transparent about their data assets and how they are acquired and used. Data is “open by default” unless legally exempt.

Data Residency and Sovereignty Considerations: While not an explicit “Canada-only” mandate, the emphasis on FIPPA and the broader Canadian discourse on data sovereignty strongly imply a preference for Canadian data residency, especially for sensitive information.

Cloud First Mandate: The “Cloud First” principle means cloud services are the default choice for Ontario government IT. This necessitates that Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) provide comprehensive evidence of their security controls, including audit reports and certifications.

Procurement Requirements: The Digital and Data Directive unequivocally states that ministries must include DSS requirements in their procurement documents. This means that for any significant IT project (over $1 million), vendors’ proposals will be directly evaluated against the DSS.

Why Compliance Isn’t Optional: The Strategic Imperative

The Business Advantages of Adherence

Enhanced Trust and Reputation: By consistently adhering to stringent standards, software vendors demonstrate a commitment to data security, privacy, and user well-being. This builds significant trust with the Ontario government and its agencies.

Competitive Edge in Government Contracts: DSS compliance is a mandatory requirement for ministries in their procurement processes, especially for projects exceeding $1 million. Vendors who have already integrated these standards into their development lifecycle possess a distinct competitive advantage.

Reduced Legal and Financial Risks: Adhering to standards like AODA directly mitigates the risk of severe financial penalties and potential lawsuits stemming from non-compliance.

Improved Product Quality and User Experience: The DSS inherently drives higher product quality. Software designed with these principles is more intuitive, robust, and inclusive.

The Steep Costs of Non-Compliance

Significant Fines and Legal Penalties: AODA violations can incur daily penalties of up to $100,000 for corporations. Beyond AODA, non-compliance can lead to massive fines, lawsuits, and even criminal charges.

Data Breaches and Loss of Public Trust: Failure to adhere to security and data governance standards significantly increases the risk of data breaches, leading to severe reputational damage and an irreversible loss of public trust.

Exclusion from Future Opportunities: Non-compliant vendors will find themselves automatically disqualified from significant government procurement opportunities, effectively blacklisting them from government work.

Charting Your Course: Resources and Best Practices

Leveraging Official Ontario.ca Resources

The primary and most authoritative source for all Ontario IT standards is the Ontario.ca website. Vendors should regularly consult:

  • The “Information technology standards” page
  • The “Digital Service Standard” page
  • “Ontario’s Digital and Data Directive, 2021”
  • The Ontario Vendor Portal for managing business transactions

Conducting Compliance Audits and Risk Assessments

Regular, comprehensive compliance audits are essential to identify gaps in existing systems and processes. This should be complemented by thorough Threat and Risk Assessments (TRAs), Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), and Business Impact Assessments (BIAs).

Investing in Training and Documentation

Compliance is a shared responsibility across an organization. Vendors must invest in regular training for their teams on relevant IT standards, security best practices, and data handling procedures. Comprehensive documentation serves as evidence of compliance during audits.

Partnering for Success

For many vendors, especially small to medium-sized businesses with limited in-house IT resources, partnering with specialized managed IT compliance service providers can significantly ease the burden of navigating complex regulations.

Conclusion: Building a Compliant and Competitive Future

Ontario’s comprehensive suite of IT standards represents a clear and evolving framework for digital service delivery within the public sector. For software vendors, these standards are not merely bureaucratic hurdles but fundamental requirements that shape market access and success.

The analysis indicates that compliance is a strategic imperative. It is the gateway to significant government contracts, particularly those exceeding $1 million, as DSS requirements are now a mandatory component of ministry procurement processes. Beyond market entry, adherence to these standards builds invaluable trust and enhances a vendor’s reputation as a reliable and secure partner.

Conversely, the consequences of non-compliance are substantial, ranging from steep financial penalties and legal repercussions to exclusion from future opportunities and irreparable damage to a vendor’s standing.

To thrive in the Ontario public sector, software vendors must commit to continuous learning, leveraging the extensive official resources provided by the government. They must invest in robust internal processes for compliance audits, risk assessments, and comprehensive documentation.

By embracing Ontario’s IT standards as a core business strategy, software vendors can not only meet regulatory obligations but also unlock significant growth opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the province’s digital transformation.


For software vendors looking to navigate Ontario’s IT standards, understanding these requirements is the first step toward building compliant and competitive solutions. The investment in compliance today can unlock significant government contracts tomorrow.

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