Ontario’s Open Data Policy

Journey

GO Open Data ConferenceMay 1, 2015

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Minister Matthews “will lead this effort by working with ministers to develop and advance the Open Government Action Plan, including the ongoing response to the Engagement Team’s recommendations.”

- Premier Wynne’s mandate letter to Minister Deb Matthews, September 2014

our mandate

To become the most open and transparent government in the country…

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actions to date

We’re not starting from square one. Ontario has a foundation to build from.

November 2012 Ontario launches its Open Data catalogue with 63 data sets – today, we are at 400 datasets

October 2013 The Premier announces Ontario’s Open Government initiative & invites Ontarians to take part in a survey

October 2013 The government appoints Open Government Engagement Team to develop recommendations in consultation with Ontarians

November 2013 – Engagement Team leads 9 consultations around the province, January 2014 engaging a broad range of Ontarians

March 2014 Engagement Team submits its report with 45 recommendations to government

April 2014 Ontario posts data inventory for public voting to prioritize release of data

September 2014 The Premier posts her Cabinet Ministers’ mandate letters online

December 2014 Legislature passes Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act

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Moving Forward

We have a multi-year journey ahead of us.

OPEN DIALOGUE

A broader, more diverse range of Ontarians is engaging regularly with the government and informing decisions that impact their daily lives.

OPEN INFORMATION

Ontarians are accessing the information they need and want about their government through interactive digital tools and user-friendly content.

OPEN DATA

Businesses, non-profits and BPS partners are working with government to access and use high-value data that supports innovation and fosters economic value.

Open Government | Strategic Plan for Action

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Open Data

Make data available so people can develop new ideas and applications

open data

Simpler access and use of data that supports innovation and fosters economic value

DESIRED OUTCOME

OVERVIEW

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The foundation

Ontario’s Open Government Engagement Team of public engagement and digital experts consulted with Ontarians across the province about how Ontario can be more open and accessible.

They delivered a report with 45 recommendations to the government in March 2014.

Implementing an open-by-default data policy is the Engagement Team’s first recommendation in the open data section of their report.

OPEN DATA RECOMMENDATIONS

Out of the 45 recommendations, 13 referred specifically to open data.

The draft directive directly enables 10 of those 13 recommendations and sets the foundation for 3 other recommendations.

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Open Data Directive

The purpose of the Open Data Directive is to maximize access to government data by requiring an open by default approach.  Open by default means that ministries and provincial agencies must proactively release data unless there are legal, privacy, confidentiality, security or other specific reasons not to do so. 

Once finalized and approved, the Open Data Directive would:• Instruct ministries and provincial

agencies to release data that they collect

• Define principles and requirements for publishing open data.

• Require a public inventory of all OPS and provincial agency data assets.

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Policy Cycle Context

Corporate directives and polices are used to set standards for financial, administrative, information technology, and human resources management practice.

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Moving forward

Our journey so far has included: Jurisdictional scan – e.g., US, UK

and Sunlight foundation Collaboration with key partners Iterative review process Multiple rounds of internal

consultations

1.Consult – in person and online

2.Revise the directive

3.Report-back to public

4.Get Minister’s approval

5.Review with policy committees

6.Submit to Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet for approval

What’s next?

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We want to hear from you!

We are committed to:

1. Collaborating in person and online at Ontario.ca/opendata

2. Incorporating feedback from the public into our policies

3. Reporting back to the public about how their feedback was used

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Thank you!

Nosa Ero-BrownManager, Policy and Public EngagementOpen Government OfficeTreasury Board Secretariat 416-325-8929

www.ontario.ca/opendata

opengov@ontario.ca