Last active
July 16, 2016 19:07
-
-
Save jpmckinney/0a4fda35b8183fc8a73d to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Side-by-side comparison of draft versus final Canada OGP National Action Plan 2014-16. http://bl.ocks.org/jpmckinney/raw/0a4fda35b8183fc8a73d/
This file contains bidirectional Unicode text that may be interpreted or compiled differently than what appears below. To review, open the file in an editor that reveals hidden Unicode characters.
Learn more about bidirectional Unicode characters
| <!DOCTYPE html> | |
| <meta charset="utf-8"> | |
| <style> | |
| .text | |
| { | |
| width: 50%; | |
| float: left; | |
| font: 300 16px/23px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; | |
| } | |
| .text-del | |
| { | |
| text-decoration: line-through; | |
| color: #A82400; | |
| background-color: #E5BDB2; | |
| } | |
| .text-add | |
| { | |
| background: #D1E1AD; | |
| color: #405A04; | |
| } | |
| </style> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h2>I. Introduction</h2> | |
| <p>As part of the global open government movement, governments seek to broaden access to data and information, ensure transparency and accountability, and strengthen citizen engagement in the activities of government and in <span class="text-del">our</span> democratic process. Canada has a longstanding commitment to openness and accountability as <span class="text-del">the</span> cornerstone<span class="text-del">s</span> of a strong, modern democracy. From the passing of <span class="text-del">A</span>ccess to <span class="text-del">I</span>nformation legislation over <span class="text-del">thirty</span> years ago to current open government and proactive disclosure activities, the Government of Canada has worked to ensure transparency on <span class="text-del">government</span> operations to enable Canadians to hold their government accountable.</p> | |
| <p>Canada joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in April 2012 and remains committed to the principles of the OGP's Open Government Declaration. Canada's membership in the OGP provides key opportunities to advance our open government agenda, share and learn from international best practices, and collaborate with our OGP colleagues on solutions that benefit citizens globally. As co-chair <span class="text-del">for</span> the OGP's Open Data Working Group, Canada works <span class="text-del">together </span>with governments and civil society on defining shared principles for open data, including the use of common standards that will help align open data services offered around the world.</p> | |
| <p>International leadership on open government is a <span class="text-del">key </span>priority for the Government of Canada. In June 2013, <span class="text-del">the </span>Prime Minister <span class="text-del">of Canada </span>Stephen Harper and other G8 <span class="text-del">L</span>eaders adopted the G8 Open Data Charter, which established open data principles for all member countries, and called for specific commitments to release core public sector data. The Sunlight Foundation, a key non-profit organization that advocates for open government globally, has ranked Canada's <span class="text-del">Action P</span>lan for implementing the G8 Open Data Charter highest among G8 countries. Canada is<span class="text-del"> also</span> pledging to expand its <span class="text-del">Open G</span>overnment activities <span class="text-del">far beyond open data </span>to include a wide-ranging set of initiatives on open information and open dialogue in addition to its ground<span class="text-del">-</span>breaking work on open data. These activities will help set the tone for <span class="text-del">all the c</span>o<span class="text-del">mmitments in our Action Plan on O</span>pen <span class="text-del">G</span>overnment moving forward.</p> | |
| <p>The OGP requires that member countries consult with citizens and civil society on the development of a national Action Plan with commitments to be implemented over a two-year period aimed at addressing one or more of the following grand challenges:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Improving Public Services: <span class="text-del">m</span>easures that address the full spectrum of citizen services by fostering public service improvement or private sector innovation;</li> | |
| <li>Increasing Public Integrity: <span class="text-del">m</span>easures that address corruption and public ethics, access to information, campaign finance reform, and media and civil society freedom;</li> | |
| <li>More Effectively Managing Public Resources: <span class="text-del">m</span>easures that address budgets, procurement, natural resources and foreign assistance;</li> | |
| <li>Creating Safer Communities: <span class="text-del">m</span>easures that address public safety, the security sector, disaster and crisis response, and environmental threats;</li> | |
| <li>Increasing Corporate Accountability: <span class="text-del">m</span>easures that address corporate responsibility on issues such as the environment, anti-corruption, consumer protection, and community engagement.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Furthermore, as required by the OGP</span>, the Government of Canada will report regularly on the implementation of its Action Plan, including <span class="text-del">the publication of</span> a self-assessment report and<span class="text-del"> through</span> participating in the OGP's independent review process. Through these important processes, Canadians will be able to monitor progress being made on Canada's open government commitments.</p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada is proud of its membership in the OGP and of its open government efforts to date to increase transparency, accountability, civic engagement, and trust in government. The <span class="text-del">twelve</span> commitments in our second Action Plan on Open Government target a range of initiatives to improve access to open data, open information, and open dialogue for Canadians.<span class="text-del"> </span></p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h2>I. Introduction</h2> | |
| <p>As part of the global open government movement, governments seek to broaden access to data and information, ensure transparency and accountability, and strengthen citizen engagement in the activities of government and in <span class="text-add">the</span> democratic process. Canada has a longstanding commitment to openness and accountability as <span class="text-add">a</span> cornerstone of a strong, modern democracy. From the passing of <span class="text-add">a</span>ccess to <span class="text-add">i</span>nformation legislation over <span class="text-add">30</span> years ago to current open government and proactive disclosure activities, the Government of Canada has worked to ensure transparency on <span class="text-add">federal</span> operations to enable Canadians to hold their government accountable.</p> | |
| <p>Canada joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in April 2012<span class="text-add">,</span> and remains committed to the principles of the OGP's Open Government Declaration. Canada's membership in the OGP provides key opportunities to advance our open government agenda, share and learn from international best practices, and collaborate with our OGP colleagues on solutions that benefit citizens globally. As co-chair <span class="text-add">of</span> the OGP's Open Data Working Group, Canada works with governments and civil society<span class="text-add"> organizations</span> on defining shared principles for open data, including the use of common standards that will help align open data services offered around the world.</p> | |
| <p>International leadership on open government is a priority for the Government of Canada. In June 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and <span class="text-add">the </span>other G8 <span class="text-add">l</span>eaders adopted the G8 Open Data Charter, which established open data principles for all member countries, and called for specific commitments to release core public sector data. The Sunlight Foundation, a key non-profit organization that advocates for open government globally, has ranked Canada's <span class="text-add">p</span>lan for implementing the G8 Open Data Charter highest among G8 countries.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">In its second Action Plan on Open Government,</span> Canada is pledging to expand its <span class="text-add">open g</span>overnment activities to include a wide-ranging set of initiatives on open information and open dialogue<span class="text-add">,</span> in addition to its ground<span class="text-add"> </span>breaking work on open data. These activities will help set the tone for open <span class="text-add">g</span>overnment <span class="text-add">in Canada </span>moving forward.</p> | |
| <p>The OGP requires that member countries consult with citizens and civil society o<span class="text-add">rganizations o</span>n the development of a national Action Plan with commitments to be implemented over a two-year period aimed at addressing one or more of the following grand challenges:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Improving Public Services: <span class="text-add">M</span>easures that address the full spectrum of citizen services by fostering public service improvement or private sector innovation;</li> | |
| <li>Increasing Public Integrity: <span class="text-add">M</span>easures that address corruption and public ethics, access to information, campaign finance reform, and media and civil society freedom;</li> | |
| <li>More Effectively Managing Public Resources: <span class="text-add">M</span>easures that address budgets, procurement, natural resources and foreign assistance;</li> | |
| <li>Creating Safer Communities: <span class="text-add">M</span>easures that address public safety, the security sector, disaster and crisis response, and environmental threats;<span class="text-add"> and</span></li> | |
| <li>Increasing Corporate Accountability: <span class="text-add">M</span>easures that address corporate responsibility on issues such as the environment, anti-corruption, consumer protection, and community engagement.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">In addition</span>, the Government of Canada will report regularly on the implementation of its Action Plan, <span class="text-add">as required by the OGP, </span>including <span class="text-add">by publishing</span> a self-assessment report and participating in the OGP's independent review process. Through these important processes, Canadians will be able to monitor progress being made on Canada's open government commitments.</p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada is proud of its membership in the OGP and of its open government efforts to date to increase transparency, accountability, civic engagement, and trust in government. The <span class="text-add">12</span> commitments in our second Action Plan on Open Government target a range of initiatives to improve access to open data, open information, and open dialogue for Canadians.</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h2>II. Achievements to Date</h2> | |
| <p>Canada's first Action Plan on Open Government was launched at the 2012 OGP Annual Summit in Brazil. Over the last two years, significant progress has been made on a broad range of initiatives to increase access to open data, open information, and open dialogue. This has established a strong foundation on which future open government activities can be built, including new government-wide policy on the release of open data and information, and modern, state-of-the-art platforms to enable public access to government information and engagement opportunities. Key accomplishments include:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Next-Generation Open Data: The Government of Canada's next-generation open data portal (data.gc.ca) was launched in June 2013. This new discovery portal was built based on broad public consultations with users to define new capabilities, and enhancements were made to expand the availability of high-value data, improve data integrity, enrich the usability of the site, facilitate intuitive discovery of data, and increase user engagement.</li> | |
| <li>Modernization of Access to Information (ATI) Services: Enhanced online services were launched in 2013 to enable Canadians to search completed ATI requests across all federal departments through a single search interface, and to submit new A<span class="text-del">ccess to Information</span> requests via the Web.</li> | |
| <li>Open Government Licence (OGL): In 2013, the Government of Canada issued a new open government licence for all levels of government in order to remove barriers to the reuse of published government data and information regardless of origin. This licence has been adopted not only by the Government of Canada, but also by several provincial governments and municipalities across the country.</li> | |
| <li>Canada.ca: Late last year, the federal government introduced its new government-wide web portal at Canada.ca that provides intuitive navigation features to help Canadians find the information they need more quickly and easily. The portal enables users to quickly complete tasks, and features government-wide search capabilities, better use of social media, and optimized content for mobile devices.</li> | |
| <li>Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE): In February 2014, the Government of Canada held the largest competitive open data hackathon in Canadian history, bringing together <span class="text-del">over</span> 900 developers, students, and open data enthusiasts from across Canada to develop over 100 innovative applications using federal data.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h2>II. Achievements to Date</h2> | |
| <p>Canada's first Action Plan on Open Government was launched at the 2012 OGP Annual Summit in Brazil. Over the last two years, significant progress has been made on a broad range of initiatives to increase access to open data, open information, and open dialogue. This has established a strong foundation on which future open government activities can be built, including new government-wide policy on the release of open data and information, and modern, state-of-the-art platforms to enable public access to government information and engagement opportunities. Key accomplishments include<span class="text-add"> the following</span>:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Next-Generation Open Data: The Government of Canada's next-generation open data portal (data.gc.ca) was launched in June 2013. This new discovery portal was built based on broad public consultations with users to define new capabilities, and enhancements were made to expand the availability of high-value data, improve data integrity, enrich the usability of the site, facilitate intuitive discovery of data, and increase user engagement.</li> | |
| <li>Modernization of Access to Information (ATI) Services: Enhanced online services were launched in 2013 to enable Canadians to search completed ATI requests across all federal departments through a single search interface, and to submit new A<span class="text-add">TI</span> requests via the Web.</li> | |
| <li>Open Government Licence (OGL): In 2013, the Government of Canada issued a new open government licence for all levels of government in order to remove barriers to the reuse of published government data and information regardless of origin. This licence has been adopted not only by the Government of Canada, but also by several provincial governments and municipalities across the country.</li> | |
| <li>Canada.ca: Late last year, the federal government introduced its new government-wide web portal at Canada.ca that provides intuitive navigation features to help Canadians find the information they need more quickly and easily. The portal enables users to quickly complete tasks, and features government-wide search capabilities, better use of social media, and optimized content for mobile devices.</li> | |
| <li>Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE): In February 2014, the Government of Canada held the largest competitive open data hackathon in Canadian history, bringing together <span class="text-add">more than</span> 900 developers, students, and open data enthusiasts from across Canada to develop over 100 innovative applications using federal data.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h2>III. Developing Canada's Action Plan 2.0</h2> | |
| <p>Canada has developed <span class="text-del">our</span> new national Action Plan in consultation with citizens, civil society, and the private sector. Our multi-phase consultation approach has served to increase public awareness of <span class="text-del">our</span> open government a<span class="text-del">c</span>tiv<span class="text-del">iti</span>es, of specific consultation activities, and of the OGP. More importantly, <span class="text-del">it has</span> enabled us to tap into the views of Canadians on how best to advance open government priorities over the next two years.<span class="text-del"> </span>Major consultation activities <span class="text-del">have </span>included the following<span class="text-del">.</span></p> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li>Public Consultation Planning (April 2014): Citizens and civil society were able to review <span class="text-del">our</span> proposed draft consultation plan on data.gc.ca, as well as advance notice of all planned online and in-person <span class="text-del">events to consult on</span> the Action Plan. During this first phase of <span class="text-del">our </span>consultations, we asked Canadians to provide <span class="text-del">suggestion</span>s on how to strengthen our consultation plan to maximize public input into the development of the Action Plan.</li> | |
| <li>Generating Ideas (May to August 2014): During this second phase of <span class="text-del">our </span>consultations, a variety of mechanisms were used to support public generation of ideas new and old for potential inclusion in Action Plan 2.0. Citizens and civil society were invited to participate in a series of public workshops and discussion panels in cities across the country to brainstorm on new open government commitments<span class="text-del">, and o</span>nline consultations sought additional ideas for which the public could add their vote of support.</li> | |
| <li>Proposing Activities (August to September 2014): During this critical phase of consultations, proposed activities for the Action Plan informed by <span class="text-del">the public'</span>s generat<span class="text-del">ion of ideas</span> were posted online for <span class="text-del">public </span>review and comments. <span class="text-del">I</span>n-person events during this phase<span class="text-del"> also</span> provided a public forum for discussion of <span class="text-del">proposed</span> activities and initiatives, <span class="text-del">seeking</span> feedback on what could be accomplished within the timeframe of the Action Plan.</li> | |
| <li>Full Review of Action Plan (October 2014): <span class="text-del">Finally, during the final</span> phase of consultations prior to finalizing our commitments, a full draft of Action Plan 2.0 <span class="text-del">was posted </span>on data.gc.ca for public review and comments.<span class="text-del"> </span></li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p>Canadians and civil society <span class="text-del">have been</span> engaged at each stage of the development of the Action Plan with feedback sought from the public, open government experts from civil society, academia, and the private sector. A final Consultation Report will <span class="text-del">also </span>be published that includes detailed information o<span class="text-del">f</span> the results of public consultations as well as key lessons learned throughout the process.</p> | |
| <p>In October 2013, the Government of Canada published its report on the implementation of <span class="text-del">our</span> first Action Plan<span class="text-del">, and subsequently, p</span>rogress was also assessed under the OGP's independent reporting process earlier this year. As with all of our public consultations, feedback and recommendations obtained through these reviews h<span class="text-del">ave h</span>elped guide the development of our second Action Plan on Open Government. In particular, the OGP's independent review highlighted the need to improve our approach to consulting citizens and civil society <span class="text-del">member</span>s on the development and implementation of open government commitments.<span class="text-del"> </span>Accordingly, the Government of Canada has taken important steps to improve its approach to public consultation in support of the development of <span class="text-del">our</span> second Action Plan. We look forward to continuing to explore opportunities to collaborate and engage with Canadian citizens and civil society <span class="text-del">member</span>s on the implementation of <span class="text-del">these activities</span> moving forward.</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h2>III. Developing Canada's Action Plan 2.0</h2> | |
| <p>Canada has developed <span class="text-add">its</span> new national Action Plan in consultation with citizens, civil society<span class="text-add"> organizations</span>, and the private sector. Our multi-phase consultation approach has served to increase public awareness of <span class="text-add">Canada's</span> open government <span class="text-add">initi</span>atives, of specific consultation activities, and of the OGP. More importantly, <span class="text-add">these consultations have</span> enabled us to tap into the views of Canadians on how best to advance open government priorities over the next two years.</p> | |
| <p>Major consultation activities included the following<span class="text-add">:</span></p> | |
| <ol> | |
| <li>Public Consultation Planning (April 2014): Citizens and civil society <span class="text-add">organizations </span>were able to review <span class="text-add">a</span> proposed draft consultation plan <span class="text-add">posted </span>on data.gc.ca, as well as<span class="text-add"> receive</span> advance notice of all planned online and in-person <span class="text-add">opportunities to participate in the development of</span> the Action Plan. During this first phase of consultations, we asked Canadians to provide <span class="text-add">idea</span>s on how to strengthen our consultation plan <span class="text-add">in order </span>to maximize public input into the development of the Action Plan.</li> | |
| <li>Generating Ideas (May to August 2014): During this second phase of consultations, a variety of mechanisms were used to support public generation of ideas<span class="text-add">,</span> new and old<span class="text-add">,</span> for potential inclusion in Action Plan 2.0. Citizens and civil society <span class="text-add">organizations </span>were invited to participate in a series of public workshops and discussion panels in cities across the country to brainstorm on new open government commitments<span class="text-add">. O</span>nline consultations sought additional ideas for which the public could add their vote of support.</li> | |
| <li>Proposing Activities (August to September 2014): During this critical phase of consultations, proposed activities for the Action Plan <span class="text-add">that were </span>informed by <span class="text-add">idea</span>s generat<span class="text-add">ed by the public</span> were posted online for review and comments. <span class="text-add">A series of i</span>n-person events during this phase provided a public forum for discussion of <span class="text-add">these</span> activities and initiatives, <span class="text-add">and sought</span> feedback on what could be accomplished within the time<span class="text-add"> </span>frame of the Action Plan.</li> | |
| <li>Full Review of Action Plan (October 2014): <span class="text-add">As a last</span> phase of consultations prior to finalizing our commitments, <span class="text-add">we posted </span>a full draft of Action Plan 2.0 on data.gc.ca for public review and comments.</li> | |
| </ol> | |
| <p>Canadians and civil society <span class="text-add">were</span> engaged at each stage of the development of the Action Plan with feedback <span class="text-add">being </span>sought from the public, <span class="text-add">and from </span>open government experts from civil society<span class="text-add"> organizations</span>, academia, and the private sector. A final Consultation Report will be published that includes detailed information o<span class="text-add">n</span> the results of public consultations<span class="text-add">,</span> as well as key lessons learned throughout the process.</p> | |
| <p>In October 2013, the Government of Canada published its report on the implementation of <span class="text-add">Canada's</span> first Action Plan<span class="text-add">. P</span>rogress was also assessed under the OGP's independent reporting process earlier this year. As with all of our public consultations, feedback and recommendations obtained through these reviews helped guide the development of our second Action Plan on Open Government. In particular, the OGP's independent review highlighted the need to improve our approach to consulting <span class="text-add">with </span>citizens and civil society <span class="text-add">organization</span>s on the development and implementation of open government commitments.</p> | |
| <p>Accordingly, the Government of Canada has taken <span class="text-add">the </span>important steps <span class="text-add">outlined above </span>to improve its approach to public consultation in support of the development of <span class="text-add">Canada's</span> second Action Plan. We look forward to continuing to explore opportunities to collaborate and engage with Canadian citizens and civil society <span class="text-add">organization</span>s on the implementation of <span class="text-add">our Action Plan</span> moving forward.</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h2>IV. Canada's Action Plan 2.0 Commitments</h2> | |
| <p>Canada's second Action Plan on Open Government consists of <span class="text-del">twelve</span> commitments that will advance open government principles in Canada over the next two years and beyond. The Directive on Open Government<span class="text-del">,</span> new policy direction to federal departments and agencies on open government, <span class="text-del">will provide</span> foundational support for each of the additional commitments which fall under three streams: Open Data, Open Information, and Open Dialogue.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Figure 1: Our Commitments</span></p> | |
| <p>Open Government Directive Diagram<br> | |
| Figure 1: Our Commitments - Text version</p> | |
| <p>In addition to advancing OGP principles for transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement, each of our commitments provides support for one or more of the five grand challenges<span class="text-del"> identified by the Open Government Partnership</span>:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>GC1 <span class="text-del">-</span> Improving Public Services</li> | |
| <li>GC2 <span class="text-del">-</span> Increasing Public Integrity<span class="text-del">, and</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">GC3 -</span> Effectively Managing Public Resources<span class="text-del">.</span></li> | |
| <li>GC4 – Creating Safer Communities; <span class="text-del">or</span></li> | |
| <li>GC5 – Increasing Corporate Accountability.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h2>IV. Canada's Action Plan 2.0 Commitments</h2> | |
| <p>Canada's second Action Plan on Open Government consists of <span class="text-add">12</span> commitments that will advance open government principles in Canada over the next two years and beyond. The Directive on Open Government<span class="text-add"> will provide</span> new policy direction to federal departments and agencies on open government, <span class="text-add">and</span> foundational support for each of the additional commitments which fall under three streams: Open Data, Open Information, and Open Dialogue.</p> | |
| <p>Open Government Directive Diagram<br> | |
| Figure 1: Our Commitments - Text version</p> | |
| <p>In addition to advancing OGP principles for transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement, each of our commitments provides support for one or more of the five <span class="text-add">OGP </span>grand challenges:</p> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>GC1 <span class="text-add">–</span> Improving Public Services<span class="text-add">;</span></li> | |
| <li>GC2 <span class="text-add">–</span> Increasing Public Integrity<span class="text-add">;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">GC3 –</span> Effectively Managing Public Resources<span class="text-add">;</span></li> | |
| <li>GC4 – Creating Safer Communities; <span class="text-add">and</span></li> | |
| <li>GC5 – Increasing Corporate Accountability.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h3>A. Open Government Foundation - <span class="text-del">"</span>Open By Default<span class="text-del">"</span></h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"Embed Open Government responsibilities in the institutional structure of government departments, and hold departments accountable for meeting citizen-stated needs."</p> | |
| <p>"Need to see <span class="text-del">"</span>Open by Default<span class="text-del">"</span> emerging at the international level, and being incorporated as part of specific policy instruments for the Government of Canada."</p> | |
| <p>Increasingly governments around the world have come to recogni<span class="text-del">s</span>e that free and open access to government data and information are of significant value to society and the economy. The key challenge governments <span class="text-del">face </span>is how to shift to an environment where data and information are released openly to the public by default while respecting privacy, security, and confidentiality restrictions.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">This</span> represents a fundamental change in government culture<span class="text-del">, which</span> requires<span class="text-del"> a</span> government-wide <span class="text-del">Directive</span> to drive the release of federal information<span class="text-del">,</span> and advance overall objectives for transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.</p> | |
| <h5>Implement Directive on Open Government</h5> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will issue mandatory policy requiring federal government departments and agencies to maximize the release of data and information of business value subject to applicable restrictions related to privacy, confidentiality, and security. Eligible data and information will be released in standardized, open formats, free of charge.</p> | |
| <p>The proactive release of data and information is the starting point for all other open government activity. It is the foundation <span class="text-del">up</span>on which all other aspects of Canada's Action Plan are based. Accordingly, the Government of Canada will firmly establish an "open by default" position in<span class="text-del">to</span> its mandatory policy framework by issuing a new Directive on Open Government.</p> | |
| <p>The Directive will provide clear and mandatory requirements to government departments aimed squarely at ensuring the availability of eligible government information and data while respecting any restrictions related to privacy, security, and confidentiality. Furthermore, the <span class="text-del">D</span>irective will support broader accountability and transparency, ensur<span class="text-del">ing</span> that open government requirements are considered in the development and implementation of all federal programs and services. Departments and agencies will also be required to develop inventories of their data and information<span class="text-del"> to support</span> plan<span class="text-del">ning</span> for release, and<span class="text-del"> to</span> lay out <span class="text-del">plans fo</span>r release.</p> | |
| <p>Maximizing the release of data and information will enable Canadians to better engage with their government<span class="text-del">,</span> hold it accountable, support meaningful civic engagement<span class="text-del">,</span> and drive social and economic benefits through the innovative reuse of data and information.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Issue a new Directive on Open Government to maximize the release of eligible government data and information of business value subject to applicable restrictions related to privacy, confidentiality, and security.</li> | |
| <li>Require federal departments and agencies to publish <span class="text-del">Open G</span>overnment <span class="text-del">I</span>mplementation <span class="text-del">Plans which</span> describe planned activities to meet the requirements of the <span class="text-del">D</span>irective, including: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Establishing and maintaining inventories of data and information holdings;</li> | |
| <li>Publishing data and information in accessible and open formats on <span class="text-del">Government of Canada Open G</span>overnment websites under an open and unrestrictive licence; and</li> | |
| <li>Reporting annually on progress made.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Lead Depart</span>ment: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h3>A. Open Government Foundation - Open By Default</h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"Embed Open Government responsibilities in the institutional structure of government departments, and hold departments accountable for meeting citizen-stated needs."</p> | |
| <p>"Need to see <span class="text-add">'</span>Open by Default<span class="text-add">'</span> emerging at the international level, and being incorporated as part of specific policy instruments for the Government of Canada."</p> | |
| <p>Increasingly<span class="text-add">,</span> governments around the world have come to recogni<span class="text-add">z</span>e that free and open access to government data and information are of significant value to society and the economy. The key challenge<span class="text-add"> for</span> governments is how to shift to an environment where data and information are released openly to the public by default while respecting privacy, security, and confidentiality restrictions.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">Such an environment</span> represents a fundamental change in government culture<span class="text-add"> that</span> requires government-wide <span class="text-add">direction</span> to drive the release of federal information and advance overall objectives for transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.</p> | |
| <h5>Implement<span class="text-add"> the</span> Directive on Open Government</h5> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will issue mandatory policy requiring federal government departments and agencies to maximize the release of data and information of business value subject to applicable restrictions related to privacy, confidentiality, and security. Eligible data and information will be released in standardized, open formats, free of charge<span class="text-add">, and without restrictions on reuse</span>.</p> | |
| <p>The proactive release of data and information is the starting point for all other open government activity. It is the foundation on which all other aspects of Canada's Action Plan are based. Accordingly, the Government of Canada will firmly establish an "open by default" position in its mandatory policy framework by issuing a new Directive on Open Government.</p> | |
| <p>The Directive <span class="text-add">on Open Government </span>will provide clear and mandatory requirements to government departments aimed squarely at ensuring the availability of eligible government information and data <span class="text-add">of business value </span>while respecting any restrictions related to privacy, security, and confidentiality. <span class="text-add">Business value takes on a broad definition in this context, including data and information that document the business of government, decision making in support of programs, services and ongoing operations, as well as departmental reporting. </span>Furthermore, the <span class="text-add">d</span>irective will support broader accountability and transparency, <span class="text-add">and </span>ensur<span class="text-add">e</span> that open government requirements are considered in the development and implementation of all federal programs and services. Departments and agencies will also be required to develop inventories of their data and information<span class="text-add">,</span> plan for <span class="text-add">the </span>release<span class="text-add"> of eligible holdings</span>, and lay out <span class="text-add">a schedule for thei</span>r release.</p> | |
| <p>Maximizing the release of data and information will enable Canadians to better engage with their government<span class="text-add"> and</span> hold it accountable, <span class="text-add">creating an environment that </span>support<span class="text-add">s</span> meaningful civic engagement and drive<span class="text-add">s</span> social and economic benefits through the innovative reuse of data and information.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Issue a new Directive on Open Government to <span class="text-add">require federal departments and agencies to </span>maximize the release of eligible government data and information of business value subject to applicable restrictions related to privacy, confidentiality, and security.</li> | |
| <li>Require federal departments and agencies to publish <span class="text-add">open g</span>overnment <span class="text-add">i</span>mplementation <span class="text-add">plans that</span> describe planned activities to meet the requirements of the <span class="text-add">d</span>irective, including<span class="text-add"> the following</span>: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Establishing and maintaining inventories of data and information holdings;</li> | |
| <li>P<span class="text-add">rioritizing the publication of data and information based on public demand;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">P</span>ublishing data and information in accessible and open formats on <span class="text-add">federal open g</span>overnment websites under an open and unrestrictive licence; and</li> | |
| <li>Reporting annually on progress made.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Establish tools and guidance for the publication of departmental data inventories, subject to privacy, security and confidentiality require</span>ment<span class="text-add">s.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">Lead</span>: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h3>B. Open Data - <span class="text-del">"</span>Open Data Without Borders<span class="text-del">"</span></h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"Ensure portals are easy to use, data is easy to discover, and datasets are readable for all individuals, not just those with an extremely high level of data literacy"</p> | |
| <p>"Work to integrate Open Government accountability mechanisms and Open Data access across federal, provincial, territorial and municipal jurisdictions."</p> | |
| <p>In its June 2014 report entitled <span class="text-del">"</span>Open Data: The Way of the Future<span class="text-del">"</span>, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates indicated that open data has become the "raw material for the digital age<span class="text-del">"</span>, and encouraged the federal government to continue to "innovate and develop its vision for open data in Canada."</p> | |
| <p>Building on the strong foundation of open data efforts to date, Canada's Action Plan on Open Government includes four specific commitments to unlock the innovation potential of open data over the next two years.<span class="text-del"> </span>The first two commitments focus on deepening collaboration on open data <span class="text-del">among</span> Canadian governments at all levels, and with the private sector<span class="text-del">,</span> to harmonize open data services in Canada and encourage the reuse and commercialization of open data. The third commitment supports open data activities internationally in order to encourage the continued growth of the global open data movement, and reinforce Canada's role as an international leader <span class="text-del">in</span> open government. Finally, the fourth <span class="text-del">open data </span>commitment lays out improvements to be made to <span class="text-del">core </span>ongoing open data activities.</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h3>B. Open Data - Open Data Without Borders</h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"Ensure portals are easy to use, data is easy to discover, and datasets are readable for all individuals, not just those with an extremely high level of data literacy<span class="text-add">.</span>"</p> | |
| <p>"Work to integrate Open Government accountability mechanisms and Open Data access across federal, provincial, territorial and municipal jurisdictions."</p> | |
| <p>In its June 2014 report entitled Open Data: The Way of the Future, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates indicated that open data has become the "raw material for the digital age,<span class="text-add">"</span> and encouraged the federal government to continue to "innovate and develop its vision for open data in Canada."</p> | |
| <p>Building on the strong foundation of open data efforts to date, Canada's Action Plan on Open Government includes four specific commitments to unlock the innovation potential of open data over the next two years.</p> | |
| <p>The first two<span class="text-add"> open data</span> commitments focus on deepening <span class="text-add">the </span>collaboration on open data <span class="text-add">between</span> Canadian governments at all levels, and with the private sector<span class="text-add">. The objective of these commitments is</span> to harmonize open data services in Canada and encourage the reuse and commercialization of open data. The third commitment supports open data activities internationally in order to encourage the continued growth of the global open data movement, and reinforce Canada's role as an international leader <span class="text-add">for</span> open government. Finally, the fourth commitment lays out improvements to be made to ongoing <span class="text-add">core </span>open data activities.</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>1) Open Data Canada</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will work with provinces, territories, and municipalities to break down barriers to integrated, pan-Canadian open data services through the establishment of common principles, standards, licensing across all levels of government.</p> | |
| <p>As announced at the OGP Annual Summit in October 2013, the pan-Canadian <span class="text-del">"</span>Open Data Canada<span class="text-del">"</span> strategy will remove existing jurisdictional barriers to realizing the full potential of open data in Canada. By harmonizing and integrating the diverse range of open data activities happening at all levels of government across Canada, we will facilitate a "no wrong door approach<span class="text-del">"</span> to open government data, regardless of which government owns it.</p> | |
| <p>This is a challenging prospect given that Canada is a decentralized federation in which government programs and services cut across multiple jurisdictions. Health, transportation, and agriculture are just a few examples of government activities that have municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal involvement.<span class="text-del"> </span>Our consultations with citizens and civil society have reinforced how important it is that users be able to combine data from multiple jurisdictions in spite of any challenges that stand in the way. <span class="text-del">These</span> challenges include data ownership, search and discovery barriers, licensing, cataloging, and significant differences across jurisdictions with regard to capacity. As part of our commitment to open data in Canada, we will address these challenges head-on.</p> | |
| <p>Work on these activities will be governed by a national Open Data Canada Steering Committee with representation from all levels of government. The end result will provide unprecedented access to comprehensive open data from across Canada to spur innovation, increase productivity, and ultimately improve the lives of Canadians.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Establish common open data principles for adoption by governments across Canada.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">A</span>doption of a common or compatible open <span class="text-del">G</span>overnment <span class="text-del">L</span>icence by all Canadian governments to <span class="text-del">facilitat</span>e the release and reuse of open data and information.</li> | |
| <li>Establish common open data standards (e.g., metadata, data formats) t<span class="text-del">o be adopted</span> by governments across Canada.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Pilot</span> federated open data search with provinces to provide a "no wrong door" approach <span class="text-del">for</span> accessing open data, so <span class="text-del">users</span> can easily f<span class="text-del">i</span>nd and download<span class="text-del"> data</span> regardless of which government open data portal <span class="text-del">they choose to</span> use.</li> | |
| <li>Expand and deliver a national appathon event, the Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE), to promote access to, and reuse of, multi-jurisdictional data to develop new and innovative tools and services for Canadians.<span class="text-del"> </span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat working with <span class="text-del">P</span>rovinces, <span class="text-del">T</span>erritories, and <span class="text-del">M</span>unicipalities.</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>1) Open Data Canada</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will work with provinces, territories, and municipalities to break down barriers to integrated, pan-Canadian open data services through the establishment of common principles, standards, <span class="text-add">and </span>licensing across all levels of government.</p> | |
| <p>As announced at the OGP Annual Summit in October 2013, the pan-Canadian<span class="text-add">,</span> Open Data Canada strategy will remove existing jurisdictional barriers to realizing the full potential of open data in Canada. By harmonizing and integrating the diverse range of open data activities happening at all levels of government across Canada, we will facilitate a "no wrong door<span class="text-add">"</span> approach to open government data, regardless of which government owns it.</p> | |
| <p>This is a challenging prospect given that Canada is a decentralized federation in which government programs and services cut across multiple jurisdictions. Health, transportation, and agriculture are just a few examples of government activities that have municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal involvement.</p> | |
| <p>Our consultations with citizens and civil society <span class="text-add">organizations </span>have reinforced how important it is that users be able to combine data from multiple jurisdictions in spite of any challenges that stand in the way. <span class="text-add">Such</span> challenges include data ownership, search and discovery barriers, licensing, catalog<span class="text-add">u</span>ing, and significant differences across jurisdictions with regard to capacity. As part of our commitment to open data in Canada, we will address these challenges head-on.</p> | |
| <p>Work on these activities will be governed by a national Open Data Canada Steering Committee with representation from all levels of government. The end result will provide unprecedented access to comprehensive open data from across Canada to spur innovation, increase productivity, and ultimately improve the lives of Canadians.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Establish common open data principles for adoption by governments across Canada.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Facilitate the a</span>doption of a common or compatible open <span class="text-add">g</span>overnment <span class="text-add">l</span>icence by all Canadian governments to <span class="text-add">enabl</span>e the release and reuse of open data and information.</li> | |
| <li>Establish<span class="text-add"> or identify</span> common open data standards (e.g., metadata, data formats) t<span class="text-add">hat align with existing international standards for adoption</span> by governments across Canada.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Develop a</span> federated open data search <span class="text-add">service </span>with provinces <span class="text-add">and municipalities </span>to provide <span class="text-add">users with </span>a "no wrong door" approach <span class="text-add">to</span> accessing open data, so <span class="text-add">that data</span> can<span class="text-add"> be</span> easily f<span class="text-add">ou</span>nd and download<span class="text-add">ed</span> regardless of which government open data portal <span class="text-add">is</span> use<span class="text-add">d</span>.</li> | |
| <li>Expand and deliver a national appathon event, the Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE), to promote access to, and reuse of, multi-jurisdictional data to develop new and innovative tools and services for Canadians.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat working with <span class="text-add">p</span>rovinces, <span class="text-add">t</span>erritories, and <span class="text-add">m</span>unicipalities.</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>2) Canadian Open Data Exchange (<span class="text-del">C</span>OD<span class="text-del">E</span>X)</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will establish an open data institute to support collaboration <span class="text-del">among</span> the private sector, academia, and government to promote the commercialization of open data.</p> | |
| <p>The global movement of technology and social media is generating massive amounts of information. Capitalizing on data offers $1.3 trillion in possible economic development in North America alone (Open data: Unlocking innovation and performance with liquid information). This type of opportunity is leading public sector institutions in Canada at all levels to undertake open data initiatives. In response to the tremendous commercial opportunity represented by open data, the Government of Canada has announced an investment of $3<span class="text-del">M</span> over three years to launch a new institute on open data: the Canadian Open Data Exchange (<span class="text-del">C</span>OD<span class="text-del">E</span>X).</p> | |
| <p>While governments collect much of the world's data, they do not always share <span class="text-del">these data</span> in ways that <span class="text-del">are easily</span> discover<span class="text-del">ed</span>, access<span class="text-del">ed</span>, use<span class="text-del">d</span>, or underst<span class="text-del">ood</span> by the public. Today, citizens expect to be able to access information and services electronically when and how they <span class="text-del">want it</span>. The creation of an information economy has motivated government to release vast amounts of public data, but there remain real challenges to accessing that data in a way that can generate insights, ideas, and services to truly benefit society.<span class="text-del"> CODE</span>X will work with government, the private sector, and academia to help realize the full potential of open data for the economic and social benefit of Canada. <span class="text-del">C</span>OD<span class="text-del">E</span>X will bring together all of the pieces t<span class="text-del">o enable</span> a sustainable market-driven, open-data ecosystem whose success is measured by commercialization outcomes such as <span class="text-del">job</span> creation, compan<span class="text-del">y creation</span>, and wealth<span class="text-del"> creation</span>.</p> | |
| <p>The vision <span class="text-del">of CODE</span>X is that by creating a platform and toolsets to help commercial actors use available data<span class="text-del">sets</span>, new products and companies may be launched to meet market needs, social challenges will be addressed to improve the quality of life for Canadians, and above all<span class="text-del"> –</span> new jobs will be created.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">C</span>OD<span class="text-del">E</span>X will develop industry standards for open data, build a national marketplace where commercialization of open data can flourish, and support a pan-Canadian open data innovation community that will help incubate the next generation of data-driven companies. Through <span class="text-del">C</span>OD<span class="text-del">E</span>X, Canadians will be able to see the measurable economic benefits of open data in the form of job creation, investment in data-driven companies, and the establishment of a national hub for the commercialization of open data.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Create the CODEX platform –</span> a national marketplace that includes an online community for those engaged in the commercialization of open data.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Develop prototypes for</span> new tools and applications that access and manipulate government data<span class="text-del">.</span></li> | |
| <li>Establish a framework for open data standards<span class="text-del"> –</span> the articulation of industry standards for presenting<span class="text-del">/</span>providing access to open data <span class="text-del">in</span> key sectors<span class="text-del">.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">D</span>evelop demonstration projects <span class="text-del">in priority sectors as determined by industry champions and CODEX.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Launch a N</span>ational outreach program<span class="text-del"> –</span> including events, workshops, hackathons, and student contest opportunities nationwide<span class="text-del">.</span></li> | |
| <li>Incubat<span class="text-del">e</span> new data-driven companies.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern <span class="text-del"> </span>Ontario</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>2) Canadian Open Data Exchange (ODX)</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will establish an open data institute to support collaboration <span class="text-add">with</span> the private sector<span class="text-add">, civil society</span>, academia, and <span class="text-add">other levels of </span>government to promote the commercialization of open data.</p> | |
| <p>The global movement of technology and social media is generating massive amounts of information. Capitalizing on data offers $1.3 trillion in possible economic development in North America alone (<span class="text-add">McKinsey & Company: "</span>Open data: Unlocking innovation and performance with liquid information<span class="text-add">"</span>). This type of opportunity is leading public sector institutions in Canada at all levels to undertake open data initiatives. In response to the tremendous commercial opportunity represented by open data, the Government of Canada has announced an investment of $3<span class="text-add"> million</span> over three years to launch a new institute on open data: the Canadian Open Data Exchange (ODX).</p> | |
| <p>While governments collect much of the world's data, they do not always share <span class="text-add">it</span> in ways that <span class="text-add">support ease of</span> discover<span class="text-add">ability</span>, access, use, or underst<span class="text-add">anding</span> by the public. Today, citizens expect to be able to access information and services electronically when and how they <span class="text-add">choose to do so</span>. The creation of an information economy has motivated government to release vast amounts of public data, but there remain real challenges to accessing that data in a way that can generate insights, ideas, and services to truly benefit society.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">OD</span>X will work with government<span class="text-add">s</span>, the private sector<span class="text-add">, civil society</span>, and academia to help realize the full potential of open data for the economic and social benefit of Canada. ODX will bring together all of the pieces t<span class="text-add">hat support</span> a sustainable<span class="text-add">,</span> market-driven, open-data ecosystem whose success is measured by commercialization outcomes<span class="text-add">,</span> such as <span class="text-add">the</span> creation<span class="text-add"> of jobs</span>, compan<span class="text-add">ies</span>, and wealth.</p> | |
| <p>The vision <span class="text-add">for OD</span>X is that by creating a platform and toolsets to help commercial actors use available data, new products and companies may be launched to meet market needs, social challenges will be addressed to improve the quality of life for Canadians, and<span class="text-add">,</span> above all<span class="text-add">,</span> new jobs will be created.</p> | |
| <p>ODX will develop industry standards for open data, build a national marketplace where commercialization of open data can flourish, and support a pan-Canadian open data innovation community that will help incubate the next generation of data-driven companies. Through ODX, Canadians will be able to see the measurable economic benefits of open data in the form of job creation, investment in data-driven companies, and the establishment of a national hub for the commercialization of open data.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Establish an open data institute in Canada (the Canadian Open Data Exchange, or ODX), as</span> a national marketplace that includes an online community for those engaged in the commercialization of open data.<span class="text-add"> ODX will undertake the following in collaboration with governments, civil society organizations, and private industry:</span> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Developing</span> new tools and applications that access and manipulate government data<span class="text-add">;</span></li> | |
| <li>Establish<span class="text-add">ing</span> a framework for open data standards<span class="text-add">, including</span> the articulation of industry standards for presenting<span class="text-add">, and </span>providing access to open data <span class="text-add">for</span> key sectors<span class="text-add">;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Consulting with industry champions on the d</span>evelop<span class="text-add">ment of</span> demonstration projects <span class="text-add">for the commercialization of open data in priority sectors;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Launching a n</span>ational outreach program<span class="text-add">,</span> including events, workshops, hackathons, and student contest opportunities nationwide<span class="text-add">; and</span></li> | |
| <li>Incubat<span class="text-add">ing</span> new data-driven companies.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>3) Open Data for Development</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will work together with developing countries to harness the potential of open data to enhance accountability, create new solutions for delivery of public services, and create new economic opportunities around the world.</p> | |
| <p>Open data holds an enormous potential to enhance development efforts around the world. As the OGP Open Data Working Group<span class="text-del"> co-chair</span>, Canada is committed to strengthening a truly global open data movement<span class="text-del">,</span> exploring ways to use collaboration and technology to strengthen democracy and build prosperity. As noted in the OGP's Four-Year Strategy (2015-<span class="text-del">20</span>18), national action plans are meant to provide an organizing framework for international networking. The OGP is in many ways a global platform <span class="text-del">to</span> connect, empower and support open government reform across member countries.</p> | |
| <p>In recent years, Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has supported initiatives in developing countries to better use open data for development, establishing a global network of partners around the Open Data for Development (OD4D) initiative. The OD4D initiative aims to support global and regional efforts <span class="text-del">from</span> governments, civil society organizations, and entrepreneurs harnessing open data to achieve development outcomes, and enrich the international sharing of open data solutions and best practices.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Build the capacity of the open data initiatives in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, and establish important partnerships with the open data movement in Canada: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">s</span>upport developing countries to plan and execute national open data initiatives;</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">create</span> data standards and solution-driven networks that can help to bring about social and economic innovation; and</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">m</span>easure and evaluate the relationship between open data initiatives and socioeconomic development, informing the quality and reach of future open data initiatives.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Host an International Open Data Conference in 2015 to bring together experts from around the world to share knowledge and experience to strengthen international collaboration on open government issues.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>3) Open Data for Development</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will work together with developing countries to harness the potential of open data to enhance accountability, create new solutions for delivery of public services, and create new economic opportunities around the world.</p> | |
| <p>Open data holds an enormous potential to enhance development efforts around the world. As <span class="text-add">co-chair for </span>the OGP Open Data Working Group, Canada is committed to strengthening a truly global open data movement<span class="text-add"> and</span> exploring ways to use collaboration and technology to strengthen democracy and build prosperity. As noted in the OGP's Four-Year Strategy (2015-18), national action plans are meant to provide an organizing framework for international networking. The OGP is in many ways a global platform <span class="text-add">for</span> connect<span class="text-add">ing</span>, empower<span class="text-add">ing,</span> and support<span class="text-add">ing</span> open government reform across member countries.</p> | |
| <p>In recent years, Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has supported initiatives in developing countries to better use open data for development, establishing a global network of partners around the Open Data for Development (OD4D) initiative. The OD4D initiative aims to support <span class="text-add">the </span>global and regional efforts <span class="text-add">of</span> governments, civil society organizations, and entrepreneurs harnessing open data to achieve development outcomes, and enrich the international sharing of open data solutions and best practices.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Build the capacity of the open data initiatives in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, and establish important partnerships with the open data movement in Canada: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">A</span>upport developing countries to plan and execute national open data initiatives;</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Develop international</span> data standards and solution-driven networks that can help to bring about social and economic innovation; and</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">M</span>easure and evaluate the relationship between open data initiatives and socioeconomic development, informing the quality and reach of future open data initiatives.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Host an International Open Data Conference in 2015 to bring together experts from around the world to share knowledge and experience to strengthen international collaboration on open government issues.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>4) Open Data Core Commitment</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will continue to unlock the potential of open data through a series of innovative and forward-looking projects that drive government-wide progress on open data and prioritize easy access to high-value federal data.</p> | |
| <p>Having <span class="text-del">now </span>launched its next-generation portal for federal open data, and released the Open Government Licence<span class="text-del">, as part of meeting the deliverable of our</span> first Action Plan, the Government of Canada is focused on continuing to raise the bar on ensuring high-quality open data services for Canadians.</p> | |
| <p>Through its open data initiatives to date, the Government of Canada is providing Canadians with access to timely, comprehensive, high-value data in open, reusable formats. <span class="text-del">Already, m</span>ore than 40 departments and agencies have made available <span class="text-del">more than</span> 200,000 datasets on everything from weather<span class="text-del">, to</span> border wait times<span class="text-del">,</span> to product recalls<span class="text-del">, to our</span> vast collection of maps and geospatial data. Moving forward, we will accelerate the release of high-value data, and continue to enhance and improve our open data platforms and services. By driving the proactive release of open data, we will increase government transparency, drive innovation, and maximize Canadians' potential reuse of federal data.</p> | |
| <p>In 201<span class="text-del">3</span>, the first Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) was <span class="text-del">envision</span>ed to challenge innovators across the country to test their talent and liberate the data available on data.gc.ca. From February 28<span class="text-del">th</span> to March 2<span class="text-del">nd, over</span> 900 participants raced against the clock to code an open data application in the largest hackathon in Canadian history. Over the next two years under Action Plan 2.0, the <span class="text-del">g</span>overnment will work with partners, other levels of government, and the private sector to expand this flagship activity to further engage open data users across the country to promote the availability and reuse potential of federal open data.</p> | |
| <p>In addition, we will continue to increase the transparency of Canada's international development a<span class="text-del">ctivities</span> through open data<span class="text-del"> to improve transparency in relation to international development aid</span>, which contributes to greater aid effectiveness<span class="text-del">,</span> and increases the ability of citizens in partner countries to hold their governments to account on development pro<span class="text-del">jects oversea</span>s.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Continue to prioritize and expand the release of open data from federal departments and agencies under a single Open Government Licence.</li> | |
| <li>Launch a new government-wide <span class="text-del">Open G</span>overnment portal with expanded open data services: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Interactive thematic open data communities (e.g.<span class="text-del"> environment</span>, health and safety<span class="text-del">, etc.</span>) and enhanced consultation functionality and online forums;</li> | |
| <li>Directory of open data services across Canada;</li> | |
| <li>Expanded developers' tools to support reuse of federal data;</li> | |
| <li>Enhanced data discovery;</li> | |
| <li>Standardized release procedures, formats, and metadata.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Expand and deliver Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) as the premier national open data competition to drive creative and ambitious innovation in Canada: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Increase promotion of CODE activities and events;</li> | |
| <li>Expand use of regional hubs to increase participation <span class="text-del"> </span>in all areas of Canada;</li> | |
| <li>Create sub-themes to focus application development on everyday challenges facing Canadians.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Consolidate the management of federal geospatial data across the Government of Canada to make it more accessible and reusable via federal open government websites.</li> | |
| <li>Broaden adoption of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) standard in the Government of Canada, and encourage other Canadian actors to publish their own data, in particular civil society organizations.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat<span class="text-del">.</span></p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>4) Open Data Core Commitment</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will continue to unlock the potential of open data through a series of innovative and forward-looking projects that drive government-wide progress on open data and prioritize easy access to high-value federal data.</p> | |
| <p>Having launched its next-generation portal for federal open data, and released the Open Government Licence<span class="text-add"> under Canada's</span> first Action Plan, the Government of Canada is<span class="text-add"> now</span> focused on continuing to raise the bar on ensuring high-quality open data services for Canadians.</p> | |
| <p>Through its open data initiatives to date, the Government of Canada is providing Canadians with access to timely, comprehensive, high-value data in open, reusable formats. <span class="text-add">M</span>ore than 40 departments and agencies have <span class="text-add">already </span>made available <span class="text-add">over</span> 200,000 datasets on everything from weather<span class="text-add"> and</span> border wait times to product recalls<span class="text-add"> and Canada's</span> vast collection of maps and geospatial data. Moving forward, we will accelerate the release of high-value data, and continue to enhance and improve our open data platforms and services. By driving the proactive release of open data, we will increase government transparency, drive innovation, and maximize Canadians' potential reuse of federal data.</p> | |
| <p>In 201<span class="text-add">4</span>, the first Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) was <span class="text-add">pilot</span>ed to challenge innovators across the country to test their talent and liberate the data available on data.gc.ca. From February 28 to March 2<span class="text-add">, more than</span> 900 participants raced against the clock to code an open data application in the largest hackathon in Canadian history. Over the next two years under Action Plan 2.0, the <span class="text-add">G</span>overnment <span class="text-add">of Canada </span>will work with partners, other levels of government, and the private sector to expand this flagship activity to further engage open data users across the country to promote the availability and reuse potential of federal open data.</p> | |
| <p>In addition, we will continue <span class="text-add">our efforts </span>to increase the transparency of Canada's international development a<span class="text-add">ssistance</span> through open data, which contributes to greater aid effectiveness and increases the ability of citizens in partner countries to hold their governments to account on development pro<span class="text-add">gres</span>s.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Continue to prioritize and expand the release of open data from federal departments and agencies under a single Open Government Licence.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Complete public consultations with Canadians and civil society organizations in support of the prioritization of open data releases.</span></li> | |
| <li>Launch a new government-wide <span class="text-add">open g</span>overnment portal <span class="text-add">(open.canada.ca) </span>with expanded open data services: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Interactive<span class="text-add">,</span> thematic open data communities (e.g., health and safety) and enhanced consultation functionality and online forums;</li> | |
| <li>Directory of open data services across Canada;</li> | |
| <li>Expanded developers' tools to support reuse of federal data;</li> | |
| <li>Enhanced data discovery;<span class="text-add"> and</span></li> | |
| <li>Standardized release procedures, formats, and metadata.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Expand and deliver <span class="text-add">the </span>Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) as the premier national open data competition to drive creative and ambitious innovation in Canada: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Increase promotion of CODE activities and events;</li> | |
| <li>Expand <span class="text-add">the </span>use of regional hubs to increase participation in all areas of Canada;<span class="text-add"> and</span></li> | |
| <li>Create sub-themes to focus application development on everyday challenges facing Canadians.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Consolidate the management of federal geospatial data across the Government of Canada to make <span class="text-add">th</span>i<span class="text-add">s informa</span>t<span class="text-add">ion</span> more accessible and reusable via federal open government websites.</li> | |
| <li>Broaden adoption of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) standard in the Government of Canada, and encourage other Canadian actors to publish their own data, in particular<span class="text-add">,</span> civil society organizations.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h3>C. Open Information - Transparency And Accountability</h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"Imp<span class="text-del">rove digital literacy in Canada, promote better learning about and understanding of data and its reuse"</span></p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">"Imp</span>lementing mandatory payment reporting standards for Canada's mining, oil and gas companies is a tremendous opportunity for Canadian leadership."</p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada, like all modern governments, possesses a vast wealth of information about our country and its citizens. From program and policy-related information<span class="text-del">, to</span> scientific and research data, to financial and expenditure information<span class="text-del">,</span> and<span class="text-del"> to</span> historical archives, the breadth and depth of government information can be overwhelming.</p> | |
| <p>Improved awareness and access to this information for both the public and<span class="text-del"> for</span> government officials is an essential element of open government. As the OGP notes, "governments collect and hold information on behalf of people, and citizens have a right to seek information about governmental activities." Put into the hands of the public, this information can lead to greater accountability and a stronger civil society.</p> | |
| <p>Canada's Action Plan places a strong emphasis on providing Canadians with access to open information, and includes six specific commitments to advance activities in this area over the next two years. New commitments focus on improving access to scientific research and data, legislating mandatory <span class="text-del">public </span>reporting to improve transparency of extractive industries in Canada, and broadening open information on government contracts, budgets, and expenditures. <span class="text-del">A</span>ddition<span class="text-del">ally</span>,<span class="text-del"> </span> Canada will work to improve Canadians' skills as consumers of digital data and information.</p> | |
| <p>Finally, enhancements to core open information activities initiated in Canada's first Action Plan will <span class="text-del">also be advanced, including</span> efforts to modernize the administration of Access to Information services, <span class="text-del">to </span>develop new online <span class="text-del">resources which support the proactive release of</span> government documents and publications, and <span class="text-del">to </span>establish the Government of Canada's new government-wide web presence (Canada.ca). Together, these activities will provide Canadians with unprecedented ease of discovery and access to a wealth of Canadian federal government information.</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h3>C. Open Information - Transparency And Accountability</h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"Implementing mandatory payment reporting standards for Canada's mining, oil and gas companies is a tremendous opportunity for Canadian leadership."</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">"Improve digital literacy in Canada, promote better learning about and understanding of data and its reuse."</span></p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada, like all modern governments, possesses a vast wealth of information about our country and its citizens. From program and policy-related information<span class="text-add"> and</span> scientific and research data, to financial and expenditure information and historical archives, the breadth and depth of government information can be overwhelming.</p> | |
| <p>Improved awareness and access to this information for both the public and government officials is an essential element of open government. As the OGP notes, "governments collect and hold information on behalf of people, and citizens have a right to seek information about governmental activities." Put into the hands of the public, this information can lead to greater accountability and a stronger civil society.</p> | |
| <p>Canada's <span class="text-add">new </span>Action Plan <span class="text-add">on Open Government </span>places a strong emphasis on providing Canadians with access to open information, and includes six specific commitments to advance activities in this area over the next two years. New commitments focus on improving access to scientific research and data, legislating mandatory reporting<span class="text-add"> standards</span> to improve t<span class="text-add">he t</span>ransparency of extractive industries in Canada, and broadening open information on government contracts, budgets, and expenditures. <span class="text-add">In a</span>ddition, Canada will work to improve Canadians' skills as consumers of digital data and information.</p> | |
| <p>Finally, enhancements to core open information activities initiated in Canada's first Action Plan will <span class="text-add">be expanded. These include</span> efforts to modernize the administration of Access to Information services, develop<span class="text-add">ment of</span> new online <span class="text-add">tools to enable Canadians to access</span> government documents and publications, and establish<span class="text-add">ment of</span> the Government of Canada's new government-wide web presence (Canada.ca). Together, these activities will provide Canadians with unprecedented ease of discovery and access to a wealth of Canadian federal government information.</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>1) Open Science</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will maximize access to federally<span class="text-del">-</span>funded scientific research to encourage greater collaboration and engagement with the scientific community, the private sector, and the public.</p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada makes significant investments in scientific research. As a result, Canada has become a world leader in a number of important scientific research areas, and continues to support leading-edge research by some of the world's best scientific minds. Increasing public access to government<span class="text-del"> </span>funded scientific research data and information has the potential to further drive innovation and discovery across the broader scientific community.</p> | |
| <p>On June 12, 2013, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, signed the G8 Science Ministers Statement on behalf of the Government of Canada <span class="text-del">"</span>to promote policies that increase access to the results of publicly funded research <span class="text-del">results </span>to spur scientific discovery, enable better international collaboration and coordination of research, enhance the engagement of society and help support economic prosperity<span class="text-del">"</span>. Accordingly, the Government of Canada will establish a government-wide approach to <span class="text-del">Open S</span>cience to increase access to federally<span class="text-del">-</span>funded scientific publications and data.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Develop and publish a government-wide Open Science Implementation Plan w<span class="text-del">hich lays out strateg</span>ies and milestones<span class="text-del"> to:</span> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">engage in</span> consultations on the implementation of <span class="text-del">Open S</span>cience;</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">maximize</span> open access to publications and <span class="text-del">to </span>data resulting<span class="text-del"> </span> from federally<span class="text-del">-</span>funded scientific activities;</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">d</span>evelop and adopt policies, guidelines and tools to support effective stewardship of scientific data;</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">promote</span> the adoption of <span class="text-del">Open S</span>cience standards in Canada<span class="text-del">;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">publish government funded scientific data; and</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">establish a timeline for release of publication and data</span>.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Establish an online service to enable a one-stop search for publications and data resulting from federal<span class="text-del">ly-funded</span> scientific activities.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Establish common Open Access requirements for federally funded scientific research.</span></li> | |
| <li>Develop inventories of scientific data<span class="text-del">,</span> and initiate the public release of data<span class="text-del"> supporting scientific research publications</span>.<span class="text-del"> </span></li> | |
| <li>Publish and maintain a consolidated online list of peer-reviewed articles by Government of Canada scientists dating back to 2012.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Environment Canada<span class="text-del">.</span></p> | |
| <p>Grand Challenges: GC1, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>1) Open Science</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will maximize access to federally<span class="text-add"> </span>funded scientific research to encourage greater collaboration and engagement with the scientific community, the private sector, and the public.</p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada makes significant investments in scientific research. As a result, Canada has become a world leader in a number of important scientific research areas, and continues to support leading-edge research by some of the world's best scientific minds. Increasing public access to government<span class="text-add">-</span>funded scientific research data and information has the potential to further drive innovation and discovery across the broader scientific community.</p> | |
| <p>On June 12, 2013, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, signed the G8 Science Ministers Statement on behalf of the Government of Canada to promote policies that increase access to the results of publicly funded research to spur scientific discovery, enable better international collaboration and coordination of research, enhance the engagement of society and help support economic prosperity. Accordingly, the Government of Canada will establish a government-wide approach to <span class="text-add">open s</span>cience to increase access to federally<span class="text-add"> </span>funded scientific publications and data.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Develop and publish a government-wide Open Science Implementation Plan w<span class="text-add">ith specific activit</span>ies and milestones<span class="text-add">, including the following:</span> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Public</span> consultations on the implementation of <span class="text-add">open s</span>cience;</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Launch of</span> open access to publications and data resulting from federally<span class="text-add"> </span>funded scientific activities;</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">D</span>evelop<span class="text-add">ment</span> and adopt<span class="text-add">ion of</span> policies, guidelines and tools to support effective stewardship of scientific data;<span class="text-add"> and</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Promotion of</span> the adoption of <span class="text-add">open s</span>cience standards in Canada.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Establish an online service to enable a one-stop search for publications and data resulting from federal scientific activities.</li> | |
| <li>Develop inventories of <span class="text-add">federal </span>scientific data and initiate the public release of data.</li> | |
| <li>Publish and maintain a consolidated online list of peer-reviewed articles by Government of Canada scientists dating back to 2012.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead<span class="text-add">s</span>: Environment Canada<span class="text-add">, Industry Canada</span></p> | |
| <p>Grand Challenges: GC1, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>2) Mandatory Reporting on Extractives</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will <span class="text-del">establish</span> reporting standards for <span class="text-del">Canadian mining, oil, and gas companies, based in legislation, in order to enhance transparency and accountability in natural resource</span> development <span class="text-del">everywhere Canadian extractive companies operate</span>.</p> | |
| <p>As a country with abundant natural resource wealth, Canada understands the necessity of openness and accountability in resource development both at home and abroad. Responsible development attracts investment, helps enhance the reputation of Canada's extractive<span class="text-del">s</span> firms, and strengthens international partnerships.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Accordingly, t</span>he Government of Canada <span class="text-del">will</span> establish reporting standards <span class="text-del">on the payments made to governments in Canada and abroad by Canadian companies in the mining, oil, and gas sectors</span>. Extractive <span class="text-del">compan</span>ies are often required to make such payments to cover licence fees, rental and entry fees, royalties, and other costs. Mandatory reporting standards will increase Canadians' awareness about how extractive companies' revenues are spent, which supports transparency and social responsibility<span class="text-del">,</span> helps to combat corruption<span class="text-del">, and promotes a level playing field for companies operating in Canada and internationally</span>.</p> | |
| <p>By creating an open reporting environment, with clear and understandable information made available to the public, greater transparency and accountability in resource development can be achieved everywhere Canadian extractive<span class="text-del">s</span> firms operate.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Introduce new legislation t<span class="text-del">o enact mandatory reporting by companies in the mining, oil, and gas sectors.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Complete public consultations on the</span> implement<span class="text-del">ation of</span> mandatory reporting standards <span class="text-del">that will require extractive companies to</span> report annually on payments to all levels of government, domestically and internationally<span class="text-del">, on a project-level basis.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Develop</span> and implement<span class="text-del"> processes to r</span>equire extractive<span class="text-del">s compan</span>ies to publish data on the payments they make to governments in Canada and around the world<span class="text-del"> in formats that are easily accessible and understandable by the public.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Provide a directory of extractives companies to which the new legislation will apply on the federal open government portal</span>.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Natural Resources Canada</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC5</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>2) Mandatory Reporting on Extractives</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will <span class="text-add">introduce legislation on mandatory</span> reporting standards for <span class="text-add">the extractive sector that require the reporting of certain payments made to governments related to the commercial</span> development <span class="text-add">of oil, gas, and minerals</span>.</p> | |
| <p>As a country with abundant natural resource wealth, Canada understands the necessity of openness and accountability in resource development both at home and abroad. Responsible development attracts investment, helps enhance the reputation of Canada's extractive firms, and strengthens international partnerships.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">In 2013, G8 leaders noted that in many developing countries there is huge potential for economic growth based on abundant natural resource reserves. T</span>he Government of Canada <span class="text-add">is meeting its international commitment to</span> establish <span class="text-add">mandatory </span>reporting standards <span class="text-add">by 2015 for the extractive sector and doing its part to contribute to raising global standards of transparency. Raising global standards of transparency will improve accountability in the sector and reduce corruption and other illicit activities.</span></p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">The Government of Canada will establish reporting standards for the extractive sector, requiring extractive entities to report on certain payments made to governments in Canada</span>. Extractive <span class="text-add">entit</span>ies are often required to make such payments to cover licence fees, rental and entry fees, royalties, and other costs. Mandatory reporting standards will increase Canadians' awareness about how extractive companies' revenues are spent, which supports transparency and social responsibility<span class="text-add"> and</span> helps to combat corruption.</p> | |
| <p>By creating an open reporting environment, with clear and understandable information made available to the public, greater transparency and accountability in resource development can be achieved everywhere Canadian extractive firms operate.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Introduce new legislation t<span class="text-add">hat will require extractive entities to</span> implement mandatory reporting standards <span class="text-add">and</span> report annually on payments to all levels of government, domestically and internationally<span class="text-add">.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Ensure stakeholder engagement on the establishment</span> and implement<span class="text-add">ation of these mandatory reporting standards.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">R</span>equire extractive<span class="text-add"> entit</span>ies to publish data on the payments they make to governments in Canada and around the world.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Natural Resources Canada</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC5</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>3) Open Contracting</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will coordinate single-window access to a broad range of open contracting information from across federal departments.</p> | |
| <p>The federal government spends millions of dollars every year on procurement activities, and Canadians need to understand how th<span class="text-del">at</span> money is spent and what is being received in return. <span class="text-del">This</span> is essential to ensuring accountability for the stewardship of public money. In addition, parties involved in public contracts must understand that <span class="text-del">the </span>open, proactive disclosure of contracting data is <span class="text-del">one of the</span> condition<span class="text-del">s</span> of doing business with the Government of Canada.<span class="text-del"> </span></p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada has demonstrated global leadership in this area through its robust disclosure regime for contracting data. Since 2004, federal departments and agencies have been required to proactively disclose information on contracts awarded over $10,000 on their websites. Furthermore, the Government of Canada's buyandsell.gc.ca website for procurement data has been influential in the design of the Open Contracting Partnership's (OCP) draft international Open Contracting Data Standard. Canada supports the steps taken by the OCP to strengthen openness and transparency of procurement processes in the international community through the establishment of Open Contracting Global Principles.<span class="text-del"> In this regard, the Government of Canada commits to engag</span>ing <span class="text-del">in interdepartmental consultations to improve </span>upon the disclosure of contracting data to strengthen openness and transparency of its procurement processes<span class="text-del">.</span></p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Moving</span> <span class="text-del">forward, pl</span>an<span class="text-del">ne</span>d <span class="text-del">enhancements to the Government of Canada's approach to open contracting will </span>increase Canadians' knowledge of how their tax dollars are being spent<span class="text-del"> on procurement activities</span>.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Complete interdepartmental consultations on the harmonization of Government of Canada open contracting activities.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Streamline and</span> centralize<span class="text-del"> contracting </span>d<span class="text-del">ata into a single, public</span>, machine<span class="text-del"> </span>readable database<span class="text-del">.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Pilot a project</span> to <span class="text-del">significan</span>tl<span class="text-del">y </span>increase the level of detail disclosed on government contracts over $10,000.</li> | |
| <li>Provide <span class="text-del">additional guidance and training to government departments and agencies on open</span> contract<span class="text-del">ing</span>.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Public Works and Government Services Canada</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>3) Open Contracting</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will coordinate single-window access to a broad range of open contracting information from across federal departments.</p> | |
| <p>The federal government spends millions of dollars every year on procurement activities, and Canadians need to understand how th<span class="text-add">is</span> money is spent and what is being received in return. <span class="text-add">Access to this information</span> is essential to ensuring accountability for the stewardship of public money. In addition, parties involved in public contracts must understand that open, proactive disclosure of contracting data is <span class="text-add">a</span> condition of doing business with the Government of Canada.</p> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada has demonstrated global leadership in this area through its robust disclosure regime for contracting data. Since 2004, federal departments and agencies have been required to proactively disclose information on contracts awarded over $10,000 on their websites. Furthermore, the Government of Canada's buyandsell.gc.ca website for procurement data has been influential in the design of the Open Contracting Partnership's (OCP<span class="text-add">'s</span>) draft international Open Contracting Data Standard. Canada supports the steps taken by the OCP to strengthen<span class="text-add"> the</span> openness and transparency of procurement processes in the international community through the establishment of Open Contracting Global Principles.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">By improv</span>ing upon the disclosure of contracting data<span class="text-add">,</span> t<span class="text-add">he G</span>o<span class="text-add">vernment of Canada will</span> strengthen<span class="text-add"> the</span> openness and transparency of its procurement processes and increase Canadians' knowledge of how their tax dollars are being spent.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Release data on all contracts over $10,000 via a</span> centralized, machine<span class="text-add">-</span>readable database<span class="text-add"> available</span> to t<span class="text-add">he pub</span>li<span class="text-add">c.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">I</span>ncrease the level of detail disclosed on government contracts over $10,000.</li> | |
| <li>Provide <span class="text-add">guidance to federal departments and agencies to increase consistency in open contracting.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Pilot the Open Contracting Data Standard – 0.3.3 on the BuyandSell.gc.ca website for federal</span> contract<span class="text-add">s awarded by Public Works and Government Services Canada</span>.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Public Works and Government Services Canada</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>4) Open Information on Budgets and Expenditures</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will publish expanded information and data on federal spending to help Canadians understand, and hold government accountable for, the use of public monies.</p> | |
| <p>One of the most important things Canadians want from their government is information on how their tax dollars are being spent. <span class="text-del">Often t</span>he budget and expenditures process can <span class="text-del">be somewhat opaque</span> to <span class="text-del">the average </span>citizen, and it is <span class="text-del">incumbent on </span>the government to make every effort to ensure taxpayers understand how their money is being spent.</p> | |
| <p>Canada has demonstrated clear leadership in providing Canadians with access to information on government expenditures. Since 2003, federal departments and agencies have proactively <span class="text-del">relea</span>sed information <span class="text-del">on</span> government operations (e.g., travel, contracts, hospitality expenditures) <span class="text-del">on their Web sites </span>to allow Canadians and Parliament to better hold the <span class="text-del">G</span>overnment and public sector officials to account. <span class="text-del">Currently p</span>roactively disclosed information is fragmented, published on <span class="text-del">over</span> a hundred individual departmental websites. Under our new Action Plan, Canadians will be provided with single-window access <span class="text-del">to</span> search and compar<span class="text-del">e</span> this information across government.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">In order t</span>o ensure Canadians have the information they need on government finances and expenditures, <span class="text-del">the Government of Canada</span> will provide enhanced online tools that <span class="text-del">provid</span>e a clear picture of the financial expenditures of federal <span class="text-del">departments and agencie</span>s. These <span class="text-del">new </span>tools will provide innovative visualizations of data, interactive infographics, and public reports released as interactive documents. <span class="text-del">By u</span>sing these tools Canadians will be able to track government spending by departments and agencies over time, and more effectively compare and contrast expenditures across departments.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables <span class="text-del">for</span> 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Launch a new interactive online service t<span class="text-del">o</span> enable Canadians to review federal spending broken down by department and compare expenditures across departments.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Standardize procedures for publishing mandatory Proactive Disclosure information by federal departments and agencies</span>.</li> | |
| <li>Provide single-window<span class="text-del"> onlin</span>e access <span class="text-del">for searching and interacting with information</span> proactively disclosed by departments and agencies (travel and hospitality, contracts, grants and contributions<span class="text-del">, etc.).</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Release comprehensive open data on historical, current, and planned government spending across departments and agencie</span>s.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>4) Open Information on Budgets and Expenditures</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will publish expanded information and data on federal spending to help Canadians understand, and hold government accountable for, the use of public monies.</p> | |
| <p>One of the most important things Canadians want from their government is information on how their tax dollars are being spent. <span class="text-add">T</span>he budget and expenditures process can <span class="text-add">often be unclear</span> to citizen<span class="text-add">s</span>, and it is the government<span class="text-add">'s responsibility</span> to make every effort to ensure<span class="text-add"> that</span> taxpayers understand how their money is being spent.</p> | |
| <p>Canada has demonstrated clear leadership in providing Canadians with access to information on government expenditures. Since 2003, federal departments and agencies have proactively <span class="text-add">disclo</span>sed information <span class="text-add">about</span> government operations <span class="text-add">on their websites </span>(e.g., travel, contracts, hospitality expenditures) to allow Canadians and Parliament to better hold the <span class="text-add">g</span>overnment and public sector officials to account. <span class="text-add">P</span>roactively disclosed information is <span class="text-add">currently </span>fragmented,<span class="text-add"> since it is</span> published on <span class="text-add">more than</span> a hundred individual departmental websites. Under our new Action Plan, Canadians will be provided with single-window access <span class="text-add">for</span> search<span class="text-add">ing</span> and compar<span class="text-add">ing</span> this information across government.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">T</span>o ensure<span class="text-add"> that</span> Canadians have the information they need on government finances and expenditures, <span class="text-add">we</span> will provide enhanced online tools that <span class="text-add">giv</span>e a clear picture of the financial expenditures of federal <span class="text-add">organization</span>s. These tools will provide innovative visualizations of data, interactive infographics, and public reports released as interactive documents. <span class="text-add">U</span>sing these tools<span class="text-add">,</span> Canadians will be able to track government spending by departments and agencies over time, and more effectively compare and contrast expenditures across departments.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables <span class="text-add">to be completed in</span> 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Launch a new interactive online service t<span class="text-add">hat</span> enable<span class="text-add">s</span> Canadians to review<span class="text-add"> and visualize</span> federal spending broken down by department<span class="text-add">,</span> and<span class="text-add"> to</span> compare expenditures across departments.<span class="text-add"> Consultations with Canadians will be completed to test and ensure the effectiveness of this new online service</span>.</li> | |
| <li>Provide single-window<span class="text-add">, searchabl</span>e access <span class="text-add">to information that is</span> proactively disclosed by departments and agencies (<span class="text-add">e.g., </span>travel and hospitality, contracts, grants and contributions<span class="text-add">).</span> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Standardize procedures for publishing mandatory proactive disclosure information by federal departments and agencies.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Make all data from charts and tables in Budget 2015 available in machine-readable formats to facilitate analysis by citizens and parliamentarian</span>s.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>5) Digital Literacy</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will support the development of tools, training resources, and other initiatives to help Canadians acquire the essential skills needed to access, understand, and use digital information and new technologies.</p> | |
| <p>Increasingly, Canadians are required to use technology to access, use, and create digital information in their work and other daily activities. Similarly, digital literacy skills are needed to take full advantage of the benefits of open data, information, and dialogue. The potential reach and impact of Canada's open government activities can be significantly augmented <span class="text-del"> </span>by efforts to ensure citizens understand how to make use of the technologies that enable open government.</p> | |
| <p>To this end, the Government of Canada will develop tools, training resources, and other initiatives to support digital skills development by Canadians.<span class="text-del"> In order to target these activities more effectively, initiatives will be undertaken to better understand the relationship between</span> digital skills <span class="text-del">and labour market and social outcomes</span>.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Sponsor projects to increase understanding of the relationship between digital skills and relevant labour market and social outcomes, including building a profile of Canadians' digital skills competencies by region and by demographic group.</li> | |
| <li>Develop online tools, training materials, and other resources to enable Canadians to assess and improve their <span class="text-del">individual </span>digital skills.</li> | |
| <li>Fund initiatives aimed at improving the digital skills of Canadians (e.g. digital skills in rural small business, essential skills for <span class="text-del">n</span>orthern youth, business technology management accreditation).</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Employment and Social Development Canada</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>5) Digital Literacy</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will support the development of tools, training resources, and other initiatives to help Canadians acquire the essential skills needed to access, understand, and use digital information and new technologies.</p> | |
| <p>Increasingly, Canadians are required to use technology to access, use, and create digital information in their work and other daily activities. Similarly, digital literacy skills are needed to take full advantage of the benefits of open data, information, and dialogue. The potential reach and impact of Canada's open government activities can be significantly augmented by efforts to ensure citizens understand how to make use of the technologies that enable open government.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">In order to target these activities more effectively, initiatives will be undertaken to better understand the relationship between digital skills and labour market and social outcomes. </span>To this end, the Government of Canada will develop tools, training resources, and other initiatives to support digital skills development by Canadians.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">The Government of Canada will work with partners in the private sector, civil society, and academia to ensure that federal</span> digital skills <span class="text-add">initiatives are aligned with non-governmental efforts being undertaken in this domain</span>.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Sponsor projects to increase understanding of the relationship between digital skills and relevant labour market and social outcomes, including building a profile of Canadians' digital skills competencies by region and by demographic group.</li> | |
| <li>Develop online tools, training materials, and other resources to enable <span class="text-add">individual </span>Canadians to assess and improve their digital skills.</li> | |
| <li>Fund <span class="text-add">private sector and civil society </span>initiatives aimed at improving the digital skills of Canadians (e.g.<span class="text-add">,</span> digital skills in rural small business, essential skills for <span class="text-add">N</span>orthern youth, business technology management accreditation).</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Lead: Employment and Social Development Canada</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h4>6) Open Information Core Commitment</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will expand the proactive release of information on government activities, programs, policies, and services, making information easier to find, access, and use.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Providing open</span> information <span class="text-del">helps to build a more engaged and informed citizenry, which promotes informed policy making and better management of public resource</span>s.</p> | |
| <p>Throughout<span class="text-del"> our</span> public consultations, Canadians have expressed <span class="text-del">their</span> desire to see the Government of Canada expand its open information activities and facilitate easier access to published federal information. The Government of Canada will continue to take bold steps to make government information more widely available. This range<span class="text-del">s from</span> ensuring more effective records management across all federal departments and agencies as the foundation of transparency and accountability<span class="text-del">, to the</span> develop<span class="text-del">ment of</span> new public<span class="text-del"> </span>facing open government resources <span class="text-del">like "Open Docs",</span> a new online virtual library<span class="text-del">,</span> to improve<span class="text-del">d</span> access to historical and archival records<span class="text-del">, and finally to</span> better and more efficient <span class="text-del">A</span>ccess to <span class="text-del">I</span>nformation services to Canadians.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Digital technologies have made it far easier to for governments to create, repurpose and dissemina</span>te inform<span class="text-del">ation than ever before. Robust information management and next-generation search and discovery</span> services <span class="text-del">will significantly improve the sharing of</span> government<span class="text-del"> information in support of government transparency and accountability. At the same time, public access to</span> government <span class="text-del">re</span>search<span class="text-del"> and analysis will open to the door to the unlimited reuse of this information in new and innovative ways.</span></p> | |
| <h5><span class="text-del">Deliverables to be completed in 2014-2016:</span></h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Modernize the administr</span>ation of <span class="text-del">Access to I</span>nformation <span class="text-del">(ATI) services across the federal government, including the d</span>evelopment of<span class="text-del">:</span> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">S</span>tandardized, whole-of-government services and solutions to expedite ATIP requests;</li> | |
| <li>Expanded whole-of-government training strategy to help government officials understand and manage their responsibilities under ATI<span class="text-del"> and </span>P<span class="text-del">rivacy</span> legislation.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Launch the "OpenDocs" Virtual L</span>ibrary to provide access to federal publications through a<span class="text-del"> o</span>n<span class="text-del">e-stop</span> online,<span class="text-del"> indexed and</span> searchable repository of published federal documents of all kinds.</li> | |
| <li>Improve the management and accessibility of government records and facilitate faster responses to requests for information through the roll-out of GCDOCS, a government-wide records management solution for the federal government.</li> | |
| <li>I<span class="text-del">mprov</span>e Canadians' access to federal records by removing access restrictions on federal <span class="text-del">archive</span>s held by Library and Archives Canada.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Accelerat</span>e access to all online Government of Canada information through the new whole-of-government Canada.ca website: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Intuitive user-centric design;</li> | |
| <li>Whole-of-government search;</li> | |
| <li>Faster access to frequently used services and information.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Leads: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Library and Archives Canada</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3<span class="text-del">.</span></p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h4>6) Open Information Core Commitment</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will expand the proactive release of information on government activities, programs, policies, and services, making information easier to find, access, and use.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">Digital technologies have made it far easier for governments to create, repurpose and disseminate</span> information <span class="text-add">than ever before. Robust information management and next-generation search and discovery services will significantly improve the sharing of government information in support of government transparency and accountability. At the same time, public access to government research and analysis will open the door to the unlimited reuse of this information in new and innovative way</span>s.</p> | |
| <p>Throughout public consultations, Canadians have expressed <span class="text-add">a</span> desire to see the Government of Canada expand its open information activities and facilitate easier access to published federal information. The Government of Canada will continue to take bold steps to make government information more widely available. This <span class="text-add">involves a </span>range<span class="text-add"> of activities, including</span> ensuring more effective records management across all federal departments and agencies as the foundation of transparency and accountability<span class="text-add">;</span> develop<span class="text-add">ing</span> new public<span class="text-add">-</span>facing open government resources <span class="text-add">such as</span> a new online virtual library to <span class="text-add">preserve and </span>improve access to historical and archival records<span class="text-add">; and providing</span> better and more efficient <span class="text-add">a</span>ccess to <span class="text-add">i</span>nformation services to Canadians.</p> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">Providing open information will help to build a more engaged and informed citizenry, promo</span>te inform<span class="text-add">ed policy making, and enable better management of public resources.</span></p> | |
| <h5><span class="text-add">Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</span></h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Modernize the administration of Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP)</span> services <span class="text-add">across the federal</span> government<span class="text-add">, including the following:</span> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Expansion of online ATI request-and-pay services to additional federal departments and agencies across</span> government<span class="text-add">;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Access to a</span> search<span class="text-add">able database of all completed ATI requests, and the ability to request the released documents;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Public</span>ation of <span class="text-add">statistical i</span>nformation <span class="text-add">on extensions and consultations related to access requests;</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">D</span>evelopment of<span class="text-add"> s</span>tandardized, whole-of-government services and solutions to expedite ATIP requests<span class="text-add"> and enable Canadians to track the status of their ATIP requests</span>;<span class="text-add"> and</span></li> | |
| <li>E<span class="text-add">stablishment of an e</span>xpanded whole-of-government training strategy to help government officials understand and manage their responsibilities under ATIP legislation.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Develop and launch a virtual l</span>ibrary<span class="text-add"> on</span> t<span class="text-add">he new g</span>o<span class="text-add">vernment-wide open government portal (open.canada.ca). This new service will</span> provide access to federal publications through an online, searchable repository of published federal documents of all kinds. | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Complete public consultations with citizens and civil society to support development of the virtual library service.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Establish a government-wide system and web architecture for the release of government information assets.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Standardize release procedures, formats, and metadata.</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| <li>Improve the management and accessibility of government records<span class="text-add">,</span> and facilitate faster responses to requests for information through the roll-out of GCDOCS, a government-wide records management solution for the federal government.</li> | |
| <li>I<span class="text-add">ncreas</span>e Canadians' access to federal records by removing access restrictions on <span class="text-add">archived</span> federal <span class="text-add">document</span>s held by Library and Archives Canada.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Develop and pilot a single online discovery and access platform for federal science library services and collections.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Provide consolidated, searchable access to regulatory information from federal departments and agencies involved in regulatory activities.</span></li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Improv</span>e access to all online Government of Canada information through the new whole-of-government Canada.ca website: | |
| <ul> | |
| <li>Intuitive user-centric design<span class="text-add"> based on government-wide web standards</span>;</li> | |
| <li>Whole-of-government search<span class="text-add"> functionality</span>;<span class="text-add"> and</span></li> | |
| <li>Faster access to frequently used services and information.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| </li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p>Leads: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Library and Archives Canada<span class="text-add">, National Research Council Canada</span></p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1, GC2, GC3</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h3>D. Open Dialogue - Consult, Engage, Empower</h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"The government should move forward to develop a set of principles and standards for all consultation processes."</p> | |
| <p>"Engage with thematic communities based on important Open Government themes, work to prioritize datasets across Government of Canada departments"</p> | |
| <p>Open dialogue between governments and citizens is critical for building trust. Through better engagement with citizens and civil society, the Government of Canada intends to ensure that programs and services are designed and delivered to meet the needs and priorities of Canadians. <span class="text-del">This</span> begins by enhancing the availability of data and information to inform active civic participation. It matures when citizens and civil society are empowered to voice their insights and opinions, and governments demonstrate their willingness to meaningfully incorporate that public feedback as part of decision-making processes.</p> | |
| <p>In its Action Plan, the Government of Canada's open dialogue activities <span class="text-del">will </span>focus on creating an environment that encourages and enables departments and agencies to consult Canadian <span class="text-del">with </span>citizens and civil society organizations.</p> | |
| <h4><span class="text-del">Next-Generation </span>Consulting <span class="text-del">with </span>Canadians</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will provide direction<span class="text-del">,</span> tools<span class="text-del">,</span> and resources to enable federal departments and agencies to consult more broadly with citizens and civil society in support of the development and delivery of government policies and programs.</p> | |
| <p>Modern technology has enabled governments to connect faster and more easily with citizens. Given Canada's geographic diversity, federal departments and agencies often face a challenge in conducting wide-ranging consultations with Canadians from diverse areas of the country and backgrounds. Evolving technological solutions can help government departments and agencies better consult with citizens and civil society on a wide range of policy, program, and regulatory issues. The result will be a more informed society on government programs and direction, and improved policy development for the government.</p> | |
| <p>To meet this challenge, the Government of Canada will develop new and innovative approaches and solutions to enable Canadians to more easily take part in federal consultations of interest to them. The government will also develop a set of principles and procedures to guide consultation processes in order to increase the consistency and effectiveness of public consultations across government. As a result, Canadians will be more aware of the opportunities to engage with their government, will have consistent, advance<span class="text-del">d</span> notice of government consultations, and will have access to easy-to-use solutions for providing their ideas on federal programs and services.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-<span class="text-del">20</span>16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-del">Launch a renewed</span> Consulting Canadians site to facilitate easier access to information on federal consultation activities for citizens.</li> | |
| <li>Develop and launch a new government-wide consultation portal to promote opportunities for public participation, host online consultations, and share findings from completed consultations.</li> | |
| <li>Expand the use of social media across government to enable departments and programs to connect to Canadians in innovative ways and enhance engagement in support of citizen-centric services.</li> | |
| <li>Develop a set of principles and standards for public consultations (e.g., advance notice, effective use of social media, reporting on results), including setting out minimum benchmarks for consultations.</li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span class="text-del">Lead: Privy Council Office,</span> Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat</p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-del">C</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h3>D. Open Dialogue - Consult, Engage, Empower</h3> | |
| <p>What We Heard From Canadians</p> | |
| <p>"The government should move forward to develop a set of principles and standards for all consultation processes."</p> | |
| <p>"Engage with thematic communities based on important Open Government themes, work to prioritize datasets across Government of Canada departments<span class="text-add">.</span>"</p> | |
| <p>Open dialogue between governments and citizens is critical for building trust. Through better engagement with citizens and civil society<span class="text-add"> organizations</span>, the Government of Canada intends to ensure that programs and services are designed and delivered to meet the needs and priorities of Canadians. <span class="text-add">Open dialogue</span> begins by enhancing the availability of data and information to inform active civic participation. It matures when citizens and civil society <span class="text-add">organizations </span>are empowered to voice their insights and opinions, and<span class="text-add"> when</span> governments demonstrate their willingness to meaningfully incorporate that public feedback as part of decision-making processes.</p> | |
| <p>In its <span class="text-add">new </span>Action Plan<span class="text-add"> on Open Government</span>, the Government of Canada's open dialogue activities focus on creating an environment that encourages and enables departments and agencies to <span class="text-add">regularly </span>consult <span class="text-add">with </span>Canadian citizens and civil society organizations.</p> | |
| <h4>Consulting Canadians</h4> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada will provide direction<span class="text-add"> and next-generation</span> tools and resources to enable federal departments and agencies to consult more broadly with citizens and civil society in support of the development and delivery of government policies and programs.</p> | |
| <p>Modern technology has enabled governments to connect faster and more easily with citizens. Given Canada's geographic diversity, federal departments and agencies often face a challenge in conducting wide-ranging consultations with Canadians from diverse areas of the country and backgrounds. Evolving technological solutions can help government departments and agencies better consult with citizens and civil society o<span class="text-add">rganizations o</span>n a wide range of policy, program, and regulatory issues. The result will be a more informed society on government programs and direction, and improved policy development for the government.</p> | |
| <p>To meet this challenge, the Government of Canada will develop new and innovative approaches and solutions to enable Canadians to more easily take part in federal consultations of interest to them. The government will also develop a set of principles and procedures to guide consultation processes in order to increase the consistency and effectiveness of public consultations across government. As a result, Canadians will be more aware of the opportunities to engage with their government, will have consistent, advance notice of government consultations, and will have access to easy-to-use solutions for providing their ideas on federal programs and services.</p> | |
| <h5>Deliverables to be completed in 2014-16:</h5> | |
| <ul> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Improve the existing</span> Consulting <span class="text-add">with </span>Canadians <span class="text-add">web</span>site to facilitate easier access to information on federal consultation activities for citizens.</li> | |
| <li>Develop and launch a new government-wide consultation portal to promote opportunities for public participation, host online consultations, and share findings from completed consultations.</li> | |
| <li>Expand the use of social media across government to enable departments and programs to connect to Canadians in innovative ways and enhance engagement in support of citizen-centric services.</li> | |
| <li>Develop a set of principles and standards for public consultations <span class="text-add">in discussion with citizens and civil society </span>(e.g., advance notice<span class="text-add"> and promotion of consultations, best practices for in-person and online engagement</span>, effective use of social media, reporting on results), including setting out minimum benchmarks for consultations.</li> | |
| <li><span class="text-add">Conduct targeted consultations on open government themes with key groups in Canada (e.g., youth, Aboriginal populations).</span></li> | |
| </ul> | |
| <p><span class="text-add">Leads:</span> Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat<span class="text-add">, Privy Council Office</span></p> | |
| <p>Grand <span class="text-add">c</span>hallenges: GC1</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text" style="clear: left"> | |
| <h2>V. Conclusion</h2> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada continues to be committed to <span class="text-del">Open G</span>overnment and its role as a dedicated member of the Open Government Partnership. We support the principles of the OGP which we believe will propel innovation, economic opportunity, and deeper democratic engagement worldwide.</p> | |
| <p>Canada's Action Plan on Open Government will provide real opportunities to accelerate the transformation of <span class="text-del">our</span> public service and <span class="text-del">our g</span>overnment through a fundamental commitment to transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. Our success will be measured by the impact our activities <span class="text-del">will </span>have on the engagement of Canadians and their use of<span class="text-del"> our</span> open data, open information, and open dialogue services moving forward.</p> | |
| <p>"The sky is truly the limit — and we are proud to play an important role in leading our citizens into the next stage of the global information age."</p> | |
| <p>The Honourable Tony Clement,<br> | |
| President of the Treasury Board of Canada</p> | |
| </div> | |
| <div class="text"> | |
| <h2>V. Conclusion</h2> | |
| <p>The Government of Canada continues to be committed to <span class="text-add">open g</span>overnment and its role as a dedicated member of the Open Government Partnership<span class="text-add"> (OGP)</span>. We support the principles of the OGP which we believe will propel innovation, economic opportunity, and deeper democratic engagement worldwide.</p> | |
| <p>Canada's Action Plan on Open Government will provide real opportunities to accelerate the transformation of <span class="text-add">the</span> public service and <span class="text-add">the G</span>overnment<span class="text-add"> of Canada</span> through a fundamental commitment to transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. Our success will be measured by the impact our activities have on the engagement of Canadians and their use of open data, open information, and open dialogue services moving forward.</p> | |
| <p>"The sky is truly the limit — and we are proud to play an important role in leading our citizens into the next stage of the global information age."</p> | |
| <p>The Honourable Tony Clement,<br> | |
| President of the Treasury Board of Canada</p> | |
| </div> |
Sign up for free
to join this conversation on GitHub.
Already have an account?
Sign in to comment