In case you missed it, this week the Government of Canada released their latest iteration of a roadmap towards Open Government. According to the report, there are some 12 commitments in the Action Plan that will be implemented over the next three years. Several action areas of interest include:
- issuing a government-wide directive that will make government information and data available to the public by default unless it falls under specific criteria for exception;
- expanding access to Open Data;
- engaging Canadians through modern Web 2.0 tools;
- public engagement on regulatory reform.
The Government of Canada’s expansion of open government is being pursued through three main streams:
Open Data, which is about offering government data in a more useful format to enable citizens, the private sector and non-government organizations to leverage it in innovative and value-added ways.
Open Information, which is about proactively releasing information, including on government activities, to Canadians on an ongoing basis. By proactively making government information available it will be easier to find and more accessible for Canadians.
Open Dialogue, which is about giving Canadians a stronger say in government policies and priorities, and expanding engagement through Web 2.0 technologies.
The current Open Data Portal at www.data.gc.ca is also being expanded with the addition of approximately 150 new data sets. Three additional organizations, the Canadian Space Agency, the Canada Revenue Agency and the Department of National Defence, will provide access to data sets through the Open Data Portal. Currently, the Open Data Portal now has a total of over 272,000 data sets from 20 organizations! See more on the Open Government initiative at http://www.open.gc.ca/index-eng.asp
See the official PR – Minister Clement Releases Canada’s Open Government Action Plan