News Release

Regional Council adopts Open Data concept

 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Regional Council today voted unanimously in favour of a new open data initiative that will enable the public release of a selection of HRM data sets free of charge, and to engage citizens and industry experts in an open data application contest.

Mayor Peter Kelly welcomed the decision. “Any move that increases direct public access to details of municipal services and facilities is always a positive thing,” he said. “Providing information through a clear, easy-to-use process encourages citizen connection with municipal government and the decision-making process.”

HRM staff has identified 15 readily available data sets that could be released as soon as a third-party website platform is secured to host the data catalogue, which is estimated to happen within the next few months. HRM will be looking to citizens to provide feedback on additional data sets for release, and continue to work on compiling, verifying and posting more data sets as they become available.

“We selected the highest quality data for the initial release,” explained Donna Davis, HRM’s Chief Information Officer. “We wanted to ensure any data released was complete and accurate, free of private information, and that it was data of interest and value to HRM citizens.”

Following the release of the first data sets HRM will host an open data application contest to inspire the development of innovative, interesting, and user-friendly applications using HRM’s data. More details on the contest scope, time lines and prizes will be communicated over the next several months.

For more information on the open data initiative visit www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/120925ca1114.pdf.

  

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010

Donna Davis
Chief Information Officer
Halifax Regional Municipality
490-4417