Minister Clement Highlights Importance of Interacting With Canadians

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 23, 2012) - The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor, today delivered a speech to representatives of the North Vancouver business community on the Government's collaborative approach to communicate and serve Canadians through Open Government and better use of Web 2.0 tools.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of social media and Open Government and is taking action to integrate these tools and ideas in its day-to-day operations," Minister Clement said. "We are making more effective use of Internet-based tools, making the Government more connected and collaborating better with citizens than ever before."

The Government of Canada launched its Open Government initiative in March 2011 to offer Canadians greater opportunities to learn about and participate in government, in the economy, and in the democratic process.

The Open Government initiative includes three equally important streams that enhance transparency to Canadians, make raw government data available to Canadians for free, and encourage direct consultation between citizens and government.

In addition to Open Government, the Government also recently introduced the Guideline for External Use of Web 2.0 designed to provide specific guidance to federal organizations on the use of public Web 2.0 tools and services which provide additional means of interactive communications between government and Canadians.

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This news release is available online at: www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.

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