What is Open Data?

Open Data Defined

The following definition is a modified version of the Canada Open Government Licence and Statistics Canada's Open License.

Open data is information that you are free to, "copy, modify, publish, translate, adapt, distribute or otherwise use . . . in any medium, mode or format for any lawful purpose." It is also allowable to sell, or sell value-added, information from open data sources.

Open data sources are often paired with a license that outlines their use. Always refer to the license before releasing a commercial application of open data.

Benefits of Open Data

From Government of Canada's Open Data 101:

• Support for innovation

• Advancing the government's accountability and democratic reform

• Leveraging public sector information to develop consumer and commercial products

• Better use of existing investment in broadband and community information infrastructure

• Support for research

• Support informed decisions for consumers

• Proactive Disclosure