Words matter, particularly in emerging digital fields where the meanings of terms have yet to be settled. Instead of collaboration, confusion can reign when stakeholders can interpret the same text differently.
To mitigate this risk, the CIO Strategy Council invites stakeholders to share and provide their input on a draft national standard for English – French lexicon for digital governance and technologies that will reduce ambiguity and uncertainty by providing standardized definitions of key terms.
The rapid pace of change in digital technologies creates space for ambiguity and uncertainty in how terms should be translated between Canada’s official languages. This standard defines terms used in digital governance and technologies in both English and French and ensures they are aligned. When published it will be a resource to facilitate the use of common terminology and accelerate the development of policy and standards in this space.
CAN/CIOSC 117- English-French lexicon for digital governance and technologies will be available on the CIO Strategy Council website until November 28th, 2022. After the public review period closes, Technical Committee 1: Data governance will review and disposition all comments received during this open commenting period.
“Using a common lexicon is foundational to digital governance,” says Michel Girard, Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. “Common terms and definitions are required to achieve interoperability between systems and networks. You also need them to regulate high-risk AI or to manage digital identity consistently across jurisdictions. This is why CIGI supports this important initiative.”
“We’re thrilled on the development of a Canadian standard for an English-French lexicon on digital governance and technologies” says Darryl Kingston, Senior Director of Standards at the CIO Strategy Council. “This new standard in both official languages will form the foundation of a national, common understanding for digital governance and technologies.”
Get Involved
Our standards development process is collaborative and open to all. If you are interested in contributing to the work of the technical committees on either of these statements, please get in touch through the join a committee page or contact Julia Hancock.
For media inquiries:
Julia Hancock
Senior Project Manager, Standards
CIO Strategy Council
julia.hancock@ciostrategycouncil.com
About the CIO Strategy Council
The CIO Strategy Council is Canada’s national forum that brings together the country’s most forward-thinking chief information officers and executive technology leaders to collectively mobilize on common digital priorities. Cutting across major sectors of the Canadian economy – public, private and not for profit – the Council harnesses the collective expertise and action of Canada’s CIOs to propel Canada as a digital-first nation. The CIO Strategy Council is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada and develops standards that support the data-driven economy.