Realizing the Economic and Social benefits of Open Data

Commissioner Cavoukian encourages public institutions to become more transparent by adopting Access by Design

TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Dr. Ann Cavoukian, is hosting an event today at the Toronto Region Board of Trade, which will demonstrate the enormous value of the Open Data movement and how other organizations can benefit by making information more transparent and accessible.

"Today's speakers will illustrate how the Access by Design framework has been operationalized by governments and innovators to improve communities across Ontario and Canada," said Commissioner Cavoukian. "It will detail the Open Data payoff by showcasing the numerous applications and advantages."

The global movement towards Open Data makes vast amounts of machine-readable data freely available by way of portals and search tools. It is one of the truest embodiments of Commissioner Cavoukian's concept of Access by Design, by which public institutions proactively release information as part of an automatic process, fostering more transparency and accountability in government.

Panelists will address:

• The positive economic impact of open government data
• Creating engagement within communities, bringing together jurisdictions, and providing tangible value (both socially and economically)
• How easy access to comprehensive government data sets can provide businesses with valuable insights
• How open data serves as a catalyst for innovation that can guide decisions about the development of new products and services

This event is anticipation of Right to Know Week 2013, which is an annual celebration of an individual's right to access information held by public bodies, and serves to mark the benefits of a transparent and accessible government.

Event Details:

Who:	Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
	Ron J. McKerlie, Deputy Minister, Open Government, Ministry of Government Services
	Nancy Isozaki, Director, Corporate Information Policy and Management Services, City of Toronto
	Rob Giggey, Strategic Support Coordinator & Open Data Lead, City of Ottawa
	Stéphane Guidoin, Transportation Director, Open North
	Joe Greenwood, Program Director, MaRS Discovery District
	Dennis Brink, Executive Director, Open Data Institute of Canada
Date:	Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Schedule:	9:00 a.m. - Panel discussion begins Media availability to follow
Location:	Toronto Region Board of Trade, Downtown Centre, 4^th floor 1 First Canadian Place (use 77 Adelaide St. W. entrance)

Media planning to attend, please register with the contact below.

About Right to Know Week

The purpose of the Right to Know Week is to raise awareness of an individual's right to access government information, while promoting freedom of information as essential to both democracy and good governance. Each year on September 28, Right to Know Day is officially celebrated in over 40 nations worldwide. In Canada and in many countries around the world, celebrations have expanded into a week-long event. It is an annual celebration of an individual's right to access information held by public bodies, and serves to mark the benefits of a transparent and accessible government. This year, Canadians are invited from coast to coast to celebrate Right to Know Week from September 23 to 28.

About the IPC

The Information and Privacy Commissioner is appointed by, and reports to, the Ontario Legislative Assembly, and is independent of the government of the day. The Commissioner's mandate includes overseeing the access and privacy provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as well as the Personal Health Information Protection Act, which applies to both public and private sector health information custodians. The Commissioner's mandate also includes helping to educate the public about access and privacy issues.

SOURCE: Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

Media contact:
Trell Huether
Media Relations Specialist
Desk: 416-326-3939
Cell: 416-873-9746
Toll-free: 800-387-0073
[email protected]