Item - 2022.EX31.7

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework in Attachment 1 to the report (March 16, 2022) from the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services, as the guiding direction for Digital Infrastructure Initiatives undertaken by the City.

2. City Council request the City Manager to direct the Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services to implement the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework in Attachment 1 to the report (March 16, 2022) from Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services, in accordance with steps outlined under the headings of Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework Implementation and Next Steps in the report (March 16, 2022) from the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services.

3. City Council request the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, to include in the Registration and Booking Transformation project award report due at the General Governance Licensing Committee in third quarter of 2022, how the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework principles were applied through its procurement.

 
4. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and Chief Technology Officer, Technology Services to report back to the appropriate Committee following the implementation of the project in Recommendation 3 above. 

This report recommends City Council adopt the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework (DISF) attached to this report to guide a standardized, integrated approach to decision-making related to the City's Digital Infrastructure. The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework was developed in response to Council's February 26, 2019 direction to "develop a City-wide policy framework and governance model associated with digital infrastructure and data". The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework includes five Working Principles that City Council adopted in January 2020 to advance this work; and reflects feedback gathered from two phases of community consultation and stakeholder engagement held in the summer and fall of 2021.

Technology plays an increasingly major role in City services and residents lives. Recent events in Toronto have highlighted the need for the City to have a strategic framework to guide technology related decisions. The absence of such guidance poses risks to residents' privacy, services that inadvertently reinforce inequalities, enterprise technology and cyber security risks to the City, and trust and confidence in local government. The need for a clear strategic framework has been emphasized by residents and stakeholders.

The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework was created to equip the City of Toronto to more effectively respond to the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of Digital Infrastructure in today's increasingly digitized world. The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework establishes a set of principles and guidelines to ensure that decisions the City of Toronto makes related to digital infrastructure are equitable and inclusive, enable high quality, resilient and innovative public services, enhance the quality of life and economic prosperity of Torontonians, prioritize privacy and security, and protect transparency and democracy.

The intended benefits from the successful implementation of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework include:

- A clear framework to guide questions about proposed or deployed Digital Infrastructure in Toronto

- Enhanced transparency and insight into decision-making associated with Digital Infrastructure enabling greater trust and confidence in government services; and

- Consistent guidance and standards for new Digital Infrastructure Initiatives for City divisions and services, particularly for emerging issues such as digital equity and inclusion.

For the purposes of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework and this report, "Digital Infrastructure" is defined as: all technology assets that create, exchange or use data or information in a digital form as a part of their operation, as well as all data collected or used by the aforementioned technology assets. Examples of Digital Infrastructure include:

- Physical objects and structures such as cameras, sensors, and broadband networks

- Software systems such as mobile applications, websites, digital payment systems, customer relationship management applications, and legacy technology systems

- Fixed devices such as computers and digital kiosks

- Mobile devices such as robots, vehicles and cellphones

- Data collected or stored digitally by the City, including personally identifiable information and non-personal information (administrative data, geospatial data etc.)

- Systems whose functions may rely on computer generated data such as machine learning systems and artificial intelligence 

The City is increasingly using Digital Infrastructure to deliver social services, realize efficiencies, and improve quality of life. Some recent examples include:

- The new 311 mobile app, which makes it easier and more convenient for residents, businesses and visitors to connect with 311 Toronto – anywhere, anytime on any smart device;

- The transition to "smart" traffic signals, which automatically adjust signal timing based on actual traffic demand and respond to varying volumes and unpredictable traffic patterns; and

- Free public Wi-Fi in some community centres, Toronto Community Housing common areas, and Tower Neighbourhood buildings to bridge the digital divide.

The increasing use of, and reliance on, Digital Infrastructure to support service delivery presents a variety of challenges, for example: securing data, protecting privacy, ensuring equity and inclusion, addressing climate change, and sharing information across divisions. These issues must be addressed effectively and in a consistent manner. While existing City policies and legislation address a number of these challenges (e.g. privacy and security), there are a number of gaps in areas such as digital equity, digital rights, and community engagement. The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework sets out objectives and implementation considerations to address these gaps. The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework is a corporate-wide strategy that provides overall direction and guidance for all Digital Infrastructure Initiatives at the City. In this way, it forms an additional resource that decision-makers can reference to help guide day-to-day as well as long-term decisions related to the City's Digital Infrastructure. Implementation of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework is intended to complement existing policies and processes (e.g. purchasing, information management, and security.)

The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework will apply to all Digital Infrastructure Initiatives. For the purposes of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework and this report, "Digital Infrastructure Initiatives" are defined as the use of Digital Infrastructure in City operations, including the provision of services to the public, the procurement of Digital Infrastructure by the City, or regulations of the City which address Digital Infrastructure.

Specifically, the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework will apply to:

- Digital Infrastructure Initiatives in all City divisions. This includes all new City Digital Infrastructure Initiatives that are developed in-house by the City; operated on behalf of the City; undertaken in collaboration and under contract with third parties; and all policies, plans and strategies related thereto;

- All new Digital Infrastructure Initiatives in publicly-owned portions of the public realm (defined as City-owned streets, sidewalks, parks, open spaces, squares and publicly-accessible portions of City-owned buildings); including those undertaken by City agencies or corporations. Regulatory City control of the City-owned public realm will also be guided by the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework on a go-forward basis.

- Over time, through established cycles of review and renewal, to existing City Digital Infrastructure.

"Public Realm" for purposes of this report and the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework means all locations other than private residences in which members of the public by legal entitlement, or invitation are permitted or invited to attend.

The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework does not apply to:

- Private property including privately-owned portions of the public realm such as malls, pedestrian walkways (e.g. the PATH network), and Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces (POPS).

City staff will carry out further consultation and research and may report back on the scope of the DISF and the possible implications that may arise as a result.

The Chief Technology Officer will lead the implementation of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework and evaluation of all Digital Infrastructure Initiatives on a case by case basis, with the objective of maximizing opportunities for alignment with the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework. This is consistent with Council direction on October 30, 2019 regarding enterprise risk management for the Chief Technology Officer to take on "an expanded City-wide scope and mandate providing support, oversight and direction on standards, practices and policies". The City Manager will share the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework with Agencies and Corporations, as appropriate, for their information.

Previously, this work was referred to as the "Digital Infrastructure Plan", however staff changed the name to "Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework" to better reflect the principle-based guidance nature of this document, rather than a step-by-step plan. 

The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework is a multi-divisional initiative, led by the Technology Services division. It has the full support from the City's Senior Leadership Team. Multiple City divisions and agencies have been consulted in the preparation of this report. A Digital Infrastructure Plan Working Group has provided significant input, with representation from City Clerk's Office, Office of the Chief Information Security Officer, People & Equity, and Purchasing & Materials Management.

This report aligns with a report from the Chief Technology Officer entitled, ConnectTO Program Update, which is also being considered by the Executive Committee on March 30, 2022.