Implementing the Application Hosting Strategy

Application hosting is the process of deploying and running software applications on servers located in data centres or on cloud-based infrastructure.‌‌

The Application Hosting Strategy represents a new approach to addressing the evolving hosting needs across the Government of Canada (GC). It focuses on choosing the most suitable hosting model for applications, based on cost effectiveness and business value, to support the delivery of digital services to Canadians.‌‌

Under the strategy, Shared Services Canada (SSC) is at the centre of all GC application hosting operations.‌

Read more about our progress and ongoing engagement with industry and other partners in our latest article: Advancing application hosting with the GC Hosting Services Portal.

GC Hosting Services Portal‌

The GC Hosting Services Portal provides GC organizations with a new intake process for cloud requests, guides and user support, expanded registration options and access to GC Cloud One to select the public cloud application hosting solution that meets their needs.‌

Non-GC users benefit from a more user-friendly experience, including centralized catalogues for cloud services for easier provider comparison and improved search options. ‌

Framework Agreements‌

The Framework Agreements (FA)—existing contracts with cloud service providers—continue to operate in the early stages of strategy implementation. However, as the digital landscape has evolved since these agreements were set up, it is important for the GC to modernize how it acquires cloud hosting services to better meet current needs. ‌

While cloud remains an important option for GC organizations in application hosting, the decisions around procurement and hosting are complex. Therefore, in collaboration with industry and stakeholders, SSC is developing a cloud services ecosystem that will provide improved service continuity and support departments as new procurement vehicles become available, aligning with the goals of the Application Hosting Strategy.‌

SSC will provide more information when additional details become available.‌‌

Contact us‌

If you have questions about SSC's role in implementing the Application Hosting Strategy, please contact cloudevolution-evolutioninfonuagique@ssc-spc.gc.ca.‌‌

For questions related to the strategic direction of the Application Hosting Strategy, please contact moderntechnologies/technologiesmodernes@tbs-sct.gc.ca.‌‌

If you are an industry member seeking tender opportunities related to the Application Hosting Strategy, please visit CanadaBuys for more information.‌

Additional resources‌

• 2024 Application Hosting Strategy
• GC Hosting Services Portal (formerly GC Cloud Services)
• GC Digital Ambition
• GC Cloud Adoption Strategy: 2023 update