Information & Privacy Commissioner comments on open data portal

Wed, Jun 26, 2019

WHITEHORSE – The Information and Privacy Commissioner for Yukon says yesterday’s launch of the Yukon government’s first open data portal is a step in the right direction. Diane McLeod-McKay also notes that there is still more work to be done.

“The portal is an online tool that provides Yukon government information to the public,” said McLeod-McKay. “This is a positive move because it will help government meet its obligations to share certain prescribed information publicly, as set out in the new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, or ATIPP Act, which has yet to be brought into force. This will improve government transparency and should reduce the number of access to information requests. However, more work will need to be done, as the portal currently only includes some of the information categories that the new ATIPP Act requires government to share.”

The portal also includes a feature that allows citizens to request data sets of information that they would like to see added in the future. McLeod-McKay notes that there is a need for more detail on the process for requesting new data sets, and how decisions will be made about whether or not information is released including timelines. Clear rules for making a request of this kind will help the public and the government understand how to make the most of this tool in an efficient and timely way.

“Availability of open data is important because it helps the public become more informed about the work their government is doing and about the environment they are living in,” added McLeod-McKay. “This will assist them in making decisions on personal, social and political issues, and in holding government accountable.”

McLeod-McKay also notes that the new service must be sufficiently promoted to ensure the public knows about it and how to use and benefit from it.

The Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner is an independent officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. For more information, please go to http://www.ombudsman.yk.ca/.

Contact:

Elaine Schiman  

Communications Manager

Office of the Yukon Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner & Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner                   

elaine.schiman@ombudsman.yk.ca

867-334-2975