Canada Publishes its G8 Open Data Action Plan for

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 21, 2014) - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

International Open Data Day, on February 22, 2014, is a worldwide initiative to encourage the release and use of Open Data, as well as support the establishment of Open Data policies and standards. Open Data events are organized across the globe encouraging the Open Data community to gather and create new products, such as apps, visualizations, and analysis. Today, in recognition of this, Canada is publishing a national action plan under the G8 Open Data Charter.

In support of its Open Data objectives, Canada joined other G8 countries in formally adopting a common G8 Open Data Charter in June 2013 at the Lough Erne Summit in Northern Ireland. The Open Data Charter commits G8 member countries to making data more open and accessible.

In Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government reiterated its focus on stimulating the digital economy with the free flow of useful and usable data. Supporting commitments include:

Ensuring the continued release of high-value datasets;
Stimulating the "app" economy by supporting Open Data appathons, such as the upcoming Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE); and
Encouraging the use of Open Data to raise productivity and create new products and services to benefit Canadians.

Quick Facts

To help ensure that Canada captures the commercial opportunities presented by Open Data, Economic Action Plan 2014 is proposing $3 million over three years, for the creation of the Open Data Institute to be based in Waterloo, Ontario.
The Open Data Charter commits G8 member countries to the following principles:
- Open Data by Default - foster expectations that government data be published openly;
- Quantity and Quality - release quality, timely and well described Open Data;
- Usable by All - release as much data in as many open formats as possible;
- Releasing Data for Improved Governance - share expertise and be transparent about data collection, standards and publishing processes; and
- Releasing Data for Innovation - consult with users and empower future generations of innovators.
The Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) is a 48-hour appathon supported by the Government of Canada, taking place from Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, 2014. The top 15 teams will pitch their apps during a live judging event on March 28, 2014.

Quotes

"Today on International Open Data Day, I'd like to congratulate Canadians on their enthusiasm for this new wave of Open Data dedication that will result in great strides for innovation, economic stimulation, and creative solutions. Knowing that Canadian Open Data supporters are participating in events across the country is extremely gratifying. I am also proud of our commitments in the G8 Open Data Charter Action Plan that will drive future activities with world partners to achieve Open Data common goals."

- Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board

"…we estimate that open data have the potential to enable more than $3 trillion in additional value annually across these domains of the global economy: education, transportation, consumer products, electricity, oil and gas, health care, and consumer finance. Consumers stand to gain by saving money through greater price transparency and using more information to make decisions."

-McKinsey Global Institute, October 2013

Canada Publishes its G8 Open Data Action Plan for International Open Data Day