Canada Launches Next Generation Open Data Portal

SURREY, BC, June 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, participated in today's launch of the Government of Canada's much-anticipated next-generation Open Data Portal (data.gc.ca), which will provide unprecedented access to government data and information.

"The new Open Data Portal is a remarkable tool that enables Canadians to easily access important information about immigration to Canada, and use this information to spur innovation and economic growth," said Minister Kenney. "I encourage all Canadians to visit our datasets if they have not yet done so as the information is useful and relevant, and there is great potential for its use."

Immigration data is already the most sought information on the Open Data Portal. In fact, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has the six most downloaded datasets on the Portal. These datasets include information about Canada's immigrants' countries of origin, preferred immigration programs, settlement patterns as well as application inventories and processing times.

As Minister Kenney highlighted the importance of making immigration data available to Canadians, Prime Minister Harper promoted an international Open Data Charter of Principles at the G-8 Leaders Summit in Northern Ireland. The Charter commits Canada to the release of more data via a comprehensive online registry of data holdings, and to giving users unrestricted rights to re-use that data. The Charter also sets standards for data quality, interoperability, and comparability, and prioritizes high-value data types for early release. In each case, Canada's current and planned Open Data practices exceed or meet the requirements of the Charter. By upholding these principles, Canada is demonstrating its international commitment to transparency and Open Government.

Data.gc.ca contains datasets compiled by over 20 departments and agencies, covering a broad range of topics, from housing, to health and environmental data. Some of the most popular datasets include: statistics on wait time for permanent residency status, wait times at border crossings and information about soldiers in World War I.

The next generation data.gc.ca site features new interactive capabilities and Web 2.0 features, including a new targeted search capabilities and a Developers Corner, where Open Data developers can access specific technical information to assist them in creating user-friendly applications. The Portal also features the new Open Government Licence, which offers unrestricted re-use of government data and information.

As CIC datasets on the Open Data Portal are already the six most popular among government departments, CIC intends to make even more of information available online in the near future. 

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A photo of Minister Kenney will be available later today.

SOURCE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

For further information:

(media only), please contact:

Alexis Pavlich
Minister's Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations 
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
[email protected]

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.