Ottawa, ON, September 23, 2021: IBM Canada (NYSE: IBM) today announced the launch of the IBM Cloud Modernization Centre (CMC), located in the Zibi neighbourhood of Gatineau, providing opportunities for 50 new jobs.

The IBM CMC operates in both official languages and employs highly skilled, government security-cleared cloud and AI experts who deliver services primarily in support of cloud modernization in the public sector – including the Government of Canada and its Cloud Adoption Strategy – while also ensuring the sovereignty of Canadian data.

According to the findings of an IBM Canada survey announced last week, there is increased urgency for tech modernization in government – something the CMC can help address. Nearly all (94%) of the business and government IT decisionmakers polled think modernizing government technology and cloud infrastructure would improve efficiency and speed, advance protection of Canadians’ personal data, heighten cybersecurity, and help deliver better services to citizens. Eighty-eight percent also indicated they thought modernization would result in reduced costs.

“We are witnessing an extraordinary pace of digital transformation, making the model for our Cloud Modernization Centre even more compelling,” said Dave McCann, IBM Canada’s managing partner of services and director for LGS. “The public sector has a high demand for access to information, operational resiliency, speed and scalability, and we are helping them move their workloads to hybrid cloud environments and achieve those targets.”

The IBM survey also revealed that the majority of tech leaders polled agree there are significant advantages to modernizing federal IT systems with cloud computing. Ninety percent feel it will improve citizen services, 89% say it will strengthen cybersecurity, 86% think it will help meet new regulatory requirements and deadlines, 85% believe it will enable data sovereignty, and 84% expect it will lower operating costs.

Another key feature of the CMC is the IBM Garage, a globally recognized collaborative approach to fast-tracking innovation at scale that helps clients transform from the inside out and drive lasting change.

Through the CMC, IBM – in collaboration LGS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM – uses its delivery models to provide end-to-end integration, blending business strategies, industry-specific platforms, design and technology methodologies and more, in a symbiotic and dynamic approach to achieve technology targets.

The IBM Cloud Modernization Centre has garnered support from government and industry leaders:

Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa: "I am excited about IBM Canada's expansion in the National Capital Region. This local investment establishing a centre of expertise and creating 50 new high-skilled jobs is a testament to the incredible talent that exists on both sides of the Ottawa River.”

Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, Mayor of Gatineau: “We are excited about what this means for the Region, having IBM Canada expanding its investment locally by establishing a centre of cloud expertise and a home for the incredible talent that exists on both sides of the river.”

Hubert Bolduc, President of Investissement Québec International: “As long-standing partners of IBM, we are proud to see the company investing once again here in Québec. The opening of its Cloud Modernization Centre, with expertise from LGS, will enhance the Outaouais region’s technology ecosystem and generate significant local and regional economic spinoffs. Here and around the world, our team will continue to build solid business relationships to encourage investment and reinvestment by foreign subsidiaries in key industries, ensuring the sustainable development of our economy.”

For those looking for information on career opportunities, email: recruitment-lgs@ca.ibm.com

For more information about IBM Canada, visit: www.ibm.com/ca-en

For more information about LGS, visit: https://lgs.com/en/home.html

Media Contact: Lorraine Baldwin, IBM Canada: lorraine@ca.ibm.com