Minister Brison Launches Public Consultations on Open Government and Access to Information

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 31, 2016) - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Treasury Board President Scott Brison, speaking today at the Canadian Open Dialogue Forum in Ottawa, invited Canadians to participate in public consultations to help deliver the Government of Canada's agenda for more openness and transparency.

In the context of open dialogue, this series of consultations will be used to develop Canada's 2016-18 strategy on open government, to be released this summer. Beginning May 1, the Government will also be seeking input from Canadians on how best to implement its commitments to improve the Access to Information Act.

Minister Brison will kick-off the consultations on open government by hosting a Google Hangout with leading experts and leaders on April 6.

Open government is about expanding Canadians' trust in government and their ability to hold government accountable. It also opens the door for greater public participation in public policy, and supports the Government of Canada's commitment to evidence-based decision making.

Canadians are invited to provide comments online or participate in roundtables in various cities.

Quick facts

• Budget 2016 included the following measures to support better engagement with Canadians, to design and deliver an ambitious open government strategy, and to accelerate and expand the delivery of digital content:
  • $12.9 million over five years to help the Treasury Board Secretariat enhance Canadians' access to their own personal information
  • $11.5 million over five years for Treasury Board Secretariat's open government activities
• In April and May 2016, online and in-person consultations on open government will take place across Canada. Details will be posted on the consultation site at open.canada.ca.
• Online and in-person consultations on revitalizing access to information will be held May 1 to July 1. Details will be posted on the consultation site at open.canada.ca.
• Canada is a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a global initiative to promote transparency, citizen engagement, and use of new technologies to strengthen governance.

Quotes

"Canadians elected us with a mandate to make government more open and transparent. I look forward to engaging them in these consultations as we take another step towards fulfilling our commitment to make government information open by default. We recognize that ultimately, government information belongs to the people we serve."

- Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

Related products

- Canada's Open Government Portal

- Consultation - Engaging on open government

Associated Links

- Canadian Open Dialogue Forum

- Open Government Partnership

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