Minister Clement Celebrates the Launch of CODE

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 28, 2014) - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

CODE, or the Canadian Open Data Experience, represents an amazing opportunity to see Open Data in action. Today, Minister Clement applauds students and tech entrepreneurs during the Toronto kick-off to this 48-hour coding marathon. CODE challenges Canadians to turn valuable Government of Canada data found on data.gc.ca into beneficial and user-friendly apps.

Over 800 participants have signed up to compete in the first-ever national appathon that requires the use of at least one Government of Canada data set. Students, developers, and IT enthusiasts have formed teams to work tirelessly over the weekend to find practical new uses for government data with the goal of improving the lives of Canadians through user-friendly apps.

Open Data is about greater openness, accountability, and unlocking the value of our data resources. The sky is truly the limit when technology, information, creativity and brains are brought together. Data apps have the power to increase opportunities, and provide us with the tools we need to make our day-to-day lives easier. Canadians are just beginning to explore the opportunities this new resource presents for spurring innovation, tackling social challenges, and improving service delivery.

Quick Facts

- The Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) takes place from Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, 2014, at a centralized HUB in Toronto or remotely from participants' homes, schools, or local coffee shops.

- The teams that submit the top 15 apps, as judged by a review panel, will have their apps showcased on the Canadianopendataexperience.com, where Canadians will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite.

- The finalists will also be invited to the CODE Grand Finale event on Friday, March 28, 2014, where they will pitch their apps during a live judging event to a panel of industry experts and potential venture capitalists.

- The three best applications, as determined by the review panel at the Grand Finale event, will be awarded great prizes, including the top prize of $25,000.

Quotes

"The Canadian Open Data Experience is finally here. Coders get ready! We can't wait to see how you mash up and re-purpose the federal government data available through data.gc.ca to create some fantastic results that will benefit Canadians and showcase our great Canadian talent."

- Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board

"The goal of CODE is to compel the next batch of leaders to take advantage of the economic opportunity that open data presents. With over 800 participants registered, I would consider that goal achieved and am incredibly excited to see what these brilliant minds can do with Canada's open data."

- Ray Sharma, Founder of XMG Studio Inc, the creator of Canada's largest competitive hackathon and organizer of CODE