August 13, 2026
Seafair-led team, OwnCare, selected to support Nova Scotia’s Individualized Funding Backbone
New solution will support the Province of Nova Scotia’s transformation of disability support services and strengthen the administration of individualized funding for people with disabilities and seniors.
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA — [August 13, 2026] — A team of organizations, led by Seafair is proud to be working with the Province of Nova Scotia to develop and implement the Individualized Funding (IF) Backbone, a new system that helps administer individualized funding for people with disabilities and seniors.
The IF Backbone is an important part of the Province's transformation of disability support services. For participants, the IF Backbone will make it easier to manage individualized funding by connecting navigation, financial administration and technology within one coordinated system.
The transformation is connected to Nova Scotia’s response to the Human Rights Remedy, which calls for fundamental changes to how people with disabilities are supported to live in their communities with greater choice, autonomy and dignity. Individualized funding is an important part of that transformation, giving people greater choice and control over how their supports are arranged.
“This is important and deeply meaningful work,” said Anne Whelan, CEO of Seafair. “The Human Rights Remedy represents a significant transformation in how people with disabilities are supported to live and participate fully in their communities. Individualized funding helps place greater choice and control in the hands of participants, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Province and our partners in support of that vision."
Working together as OwnCare, Seafair and its partners will develop and implement the IF Backbone, bringing together technology, participant navigation, financial services and administration into one coordinated system that supports individualized funding. By making these services work together more effectively, it helps participants access the flexibility and choice that individualized funding is designed to provide.
“This is a significant milestone in our work to transform disability support services in Nova Scotia,” said Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development. “Individualized funding is a key commitment under the Human Rights Remedy because it gives people more choice and control over how their supports are delivered. With this contract in place, we are one major step closer to having the full range of systems, services, and supports needed to make that vision a reality.”
“We recognize the responsibility that comes with contributing to a transformation of this importance,” said Gina Patterson, Managing Director of OwnCare at Seafair. “This is about more than implementing a new system. It is about building the practical infrastructure needed to support a more person-directed approach – one that respects the rights, choices and individual circumstances of participants. We are honoured to be part of this work and committed to approaching it with care, humility and a focus on getting the most important things right.”
Seafair is leading and overseeing the overall solution, bringing together a group of partner organizations. This team, OwnCare, includes:
Seafair, providing overall leadership, integration, oversight and execution;
Deloitte Canada, providing project management, design, implementation, and assurance support;
Gotcare, providing the core technology platform;
Brightisle, providing the navigation service; and
Keen, providing the financial administration and payroll service.
“Individualized funding is all about giving people greater choice and control to build the lives they want. Making that possible requires purpose-built technology that responds to real life by reducing administrative complexity and making individualized funding easier to navigate for participants, families, and governments," said Chenny, CEO of Gotcare. "As a coast-to-coast provider of individualized funding and person-directed solutions, Gotcare is proud to bring that expertise to Nova Scotia and support this important transformation."
OwnCare itself does not provide care or support services directly. Instead, it provides the technology, navigation, financial and administrative systems that help people manage individualized funding. Participants will continue to direct their own supports in accordance with the applicable programs and policies.
“Transformations of this scale require strong partnerships and collaboration,” said Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada. “As Canada’s largest Canadian owned and operated professional services firm, we’re proud to be part of the team delivering this important impact to Nova Scotians in the communities we live and work.”
"The opportunity here is to simplify what can often be a complex experience for participants,” said Martin Joyce, Partner, Human and Social Services Practice, Deloitte Canada. “Our focus is on helping design and implement an integrated backbone that connects people, processes and services in a way that is practical, scalable and centred on the needs of those who rely on individualized funding."
OwnCare’s work is grounded in collaboration with the Province of Nova Scotia, engagements with key stakeholders, and informed by the experiences of the people who interact with individualized funding programs.
“The scope and importance of this transformation requires a deeply integrated approach,” said Ayon Shahed, Executive Vice President of Seafair. “Our role is to bring together the people, technology and operational capabilities needed to create a reliable backbone around individualized funding. We are proud of the expertise represented across this consortium and of the shared commitment to building something that works effectively for participants, families, service providers and government.”
Additional information will be shared by the Province and Seafair as the work progresses.
About Seafair
Based in Atlantic Canada, Seafair is a group of purpose-driven organizations working across community services, healthcare, technology, financial solutions and managed services. For more than 25 years, Seafair has worked alongside governments, communities, service providers and those closest to service delivery to strengthen systems and turn complex policy objectives into practical support. Seafair is recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. Visit seafair.ca for more information.
About Gotcare
Gotcare is a Canadian healthcare technology platform helping people access safe, responsive, and person-directed support at home and in their communities. Working with governments, health systems, insurers, and community organizations across Canada, Gotcare provides the infrastructure for individualized funding, care navigation, local care delivery, virtual clinical services, and digital health tools that give people greater choice and control over their care. Gotcare is a Certified B Corporation, a Certified Living Wage Employer, and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies.
About Brightisle
Brightisle is a leading provider of health and community care services in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are energized by the challenge to improve our collective health and well-being and to make care better. Our approach to services and programs is flexible and dynamic, embracing innovation and technology – while always keeping people and communities front and centre.
About Keen
Keen is a Canadian-owned and operated financial services company. We believe financial information is empowering and that your time is valuable. Our team works with a wide range of clients, with a focus on small and medium size businesses (SMEs), non-profits, start-ups, care providers, and entrepreneurs. Keen handles the details so you can focus on the bigger picture.
Additional Resources
Disability support transformation updates: https://www.dsp-transformation.ca/
Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy: https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/remedy
News releases related to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=339
Media Contact
Please note, all comments and responses are deferred to the Province of Nova Scotia