Canada Proposes New Action Plan on Open Government

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 11, 2014) - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

The next phase of consultations on Open Government has been launched with the goal of discovering what Canadians think about the proposed ideas and activities generated since Treasury Board President Tony Clement started discussions in May. This latest phase of consultations will be open until mid-September and Canadians can participate by visiting data.gc.ca.

Proposed activities that will contribute to Canada's Action Plan on Open Government 2.0 will continue to be posted on data.gc.ca over the coming weeks for feedback from Canadians. The goal of Open Government is a more cost-effective, efficient and responsive government, as the Government seeks to facilitate openness, innovation and economic opportunities.

The Action Plan on Open Government is part of Canada's commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Currently numbering 64 affiliated countries worldwide, the OGP welcomed Canada as a member in March 2012. In line with the OGP, Canada endorses the Open Government Declaration and will deliver its second action plan developed with public consultation this fall. Canada is seeking to provide citizens with more open data and information, and to increase opportunities to learn about and participate in government.

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada released its first Action Plan on Open Government in 2012 structured along the three streams of Open Information, Open Data, and Open Dialogue.
The 2014 Open Government consultations will run until fall 2014 in three phases.
- Phase 1: determine how Canadians can best be engaged and informed about Open Government.
- Phase 2: gather ideas from Canadians about activities that could be in Canada's Action Plan on Open Government 2.0.
- Phase 3: engage with Canadians to refine and strengthen proposed activities for the Action Plan 2.0.
You can find more details on upcoming in-person events on data.gc.ca. Confirmed dates for public workshops include:
- August 27 - Edmonton, Alberta
- September 11 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
- September 12 - Saint John, New Brunswick
  Please send an email to open-ouvert@tbs-sct.gc.ca if you are interested in participating in one of the upcoming workshops.
A report on the findings from all three phases of the consultation will be published in the fall, and summaries of ideas and comments submitted are being posted at regular intervals on data.gc.ca.

Quotes

"Canada has a vibrant and stable economy supported by accessible political institutions. The next Open Government Action Plan aims to strengthen previous Open Government successes and expand into new areas, in consultation with Canadians. You can still get involved and inform us about ways to ensure the Action Plan on Open Government will benefit you and your family, and also lead to a more cost-effective, efficient and responsive government."

Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board.

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