Minister Clement Supports CODE Appathon and Highlights Red Tape Reduction During Montreal Visit

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Jan. 31, 2014) - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Treasury Board President Tony Clement is in Montréal at McGill University today to support and promote the Government's first national Open Data appathon. Open to students and data enthusiasts, teams competing in the Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) appathon will be challenged to turn valuable Government of Canada data into useful and user-friendly apps. Their completed apps will be evaluated by a celebrity judging panel, and the top 15 teams will be invited to the CODE Grand Finale event on March 28 in Toronto, where they will pitch their apps live to guest judges.

CODE is part of the Government's overarching effort to promote the creation of technological advances that lead to the start-up of new businesses, economic expansion and job creation, as well as social benefits, like using data to save time in our day-to-day schedules.

Minister Clement also led a round-table discussion with members of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Quebec (CPA Quebec) and the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) to conclude Red Tape Awareness Week™. The Minister outlined the latest developments in implementing the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan, including this week's release of the first Scorecard Report and the introduction of the Red Tape Reduction Act in Parliament to enshrine the One-for-One Rule in law.

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) is a 48-hour appathon taking place from Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, 2014.
  
  
• CODE competitors can apply to participate at a centralized HUB in Toronto or they can participate remotely from their homes, schools, or local coffee shops.
  
  
• On January 28, 2014, the Government released its first Scorecard Report, outlining the substantial progress made in cutting red tape for Canadian business under the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan.
  
  
• On January 29, 2014, Treasury Board President Tony Clement introduced legislation in the House of Commons to enshrine the One-for-One Rule in law. The One-for-One Rule, which came into effect on April 1, 2012, has already saved Canadian businesses nearly $20 million in administrative burden costs.
  
  

Quotes

"Appathons like CODE present an exciting way to bring together data enthusiasts, coders, developers, and designers to find new ways to deliver value to Canadians. That's why we are inviting students and interested Canadians here in Montréal and across the country to take part in CODE and discover government data available through data.gc.ca."

Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board

"I want to thank the Government of Canada, Minister Clement and XMG Studio for inviting students to develop an app using the Government's open data portal through the CODE competition. It is a creative way to leverage their talent and skills for the benefit of Canadians. By connecting the winning teams with potential investors, this competition encourages entrepreneurial innovation and spirit."

Suzanne Fortier, Professor, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University

"Cutting regulatory red tape is one of the most important initiatives we can undertake to help businesses thrive. By following through on our Action Plan commitments, we are doing the hard work required to cement Canada's reputation as one of the best places in the world to do business and invest."

Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board

Related Products

- Open Data Portal

- Video: How you can participate in the Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE)

- The 2012-2013 Scorecard Report: Implementing the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan

- Red Tape Reduction Action Plan

Associated Links

- Canadian Open Data Experience {CODE} - XMG Studio

- Minister Clement Releases Inaugural Red Tape Reduction Scorecard

- Government of Canada Introduces Legislation to Make the One-for-One Rule Law

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