Direction for Discontinued Use of Microsoft Office 2010 (and Earlier Versions) Software

Background

As stated on Microsoft's Support website, Microsoft Office 2010 mainstream support ended October 13, 2015 and extended support ends October 13, 2020. Extended support allows for security fixes only and no new features or functions. At the end of extended support, ongoing support for critical and security updates would require the purchase of a Custom Support Agreement at additional cost to the GC.

Microsoft Office 2013 was introduced January 9, 2013 and will have mainstream support until April 10, 2018. Microsoft Office 2016 was released September 22, 2015 and will have mainstream support until October 14, 2020. The GC has adopted a Managed Lifecycle Schedule for Commonly Used Workplace Technology Devices Software Products (MLS) which establishes a software lifecycle schedule for the introduction and retirement of commonly used software, based on vendor mainstream support and extended support dates.

Following a managed transition to newer versions of software is a sound investment approach, which manages risk due to aging of IT investments and aligns capabilities across the GC.

Direction

Departments and agencies are to discontinue the use of Microsoft Office 2010 software and all earlier versions of the Microsoft Office product (such as 2007 and 2003) by October 13, 2017. Exemptions to this directive will not be provided.

Departmental Chief Information Officers or equivalents are directed to put in place active measures to ensure that usage of Microsoft Office 2010 software and earlier versions is prohibited after October 13, 2017.

References

Additional information may be found in the following resources: Microsoft Support

Please address any inquiries you may have by email to the CIOB IT Division.

Marc Brouillard
Chief Technology Officer of the Government of Canada
Chief Information Officer Branch
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat