Open data signals new direction
By Contributor
The B.C. government website (www.gov.bc.ca) has been redesigned to focus on frequently used services, making it easier for families and businesses to find the services they are looking for.
The website features DataBC, a new open data site, and Open Information, an information release site as part of government’s commitment to be more connected, open and responsive.
B.C. is the first provincial government to create a site like DataBC (www.data.gov.bc.ca) – a catalogue of nearly 2,500 sets of data that, over time, will increase as new datasets become available. This data is free, searchable and available for anyone to use and repurpose.
A broad range of datasets are available, such as birth rates, carbon emissions statistics and information on schools.
Opening up this information will help people make informed decisions, conduct research, analyze statistics and develop applications.
The province will proactively release information requested through Freedom of Information (FOI). Information released through the FOI process will be posted on the new Open Information website (www.openinfo.gov.bc.ca) at least 72 hours and up to a maximum of five days after being released to the applicant.
Ministers’ and deputy ministers’ travel expenses will also be posted monthly to the Open Information website as these are items regularly requested and released through the FOI process.
