Canadian Open Data Summit Comes to New Brunswick
SAINT JOHN–The Canadian Open Data Summit (CODS) is coming to New Brunswick. On April 28 in Saint John, members of the open data community will gather to talk open data challenges, share experience and expertise and work towards growing the community.
Cathy Simpson, TechImpact leader for nb+ and vice-president of T4G’s public sector, says this is a perfect time for New Brunswick to host the summit.
“The timing for the summit could not be better given new federal government’s stated approach to open government , the government of New Brunswick’s recently launched nb+ digital lab and open data initiative and the prevailing national conversation on Canadian resourcefulness and optimism,” Simpson said.
nb+ is a partnership between the government of New Brunswick and TechImpact. The digital lab aims to help connect the province’s citizens with public services and help entrepreneurs and businesses develop and export digital products and services.
Simpson says as the open data movement gains momentum across the country, the community has demonstrated why open data is important and must now address how open data can be used to effect social change, grow the economy, improve decisions and open government.
“The summit will identify and bridge gaps in the open data ecosystem and explore the ‘how’ of unleashing shared value between sectors, institutions, municipalities and communities,” Simpson said. “CODS 2016 is about putting rubber to the road.”
CODS 2016 is aimed at the entire open data community across Canada. Simpson says that this includes tech innovators, social policy people, community agencies, elected officials, public sector employees, students and engaged citizens.
“The summit is for anyone who wants to understand how we can harness this huge economic and social resource and use Canadian resourcefulness and creativity to make a better province and a better country,” Simpson said.
Simpson hopes holding the summit in New Brunswick will encourage companies here to learn how open data is more than simply a piece of open government.
“We are moving … now to how open data can be harnessed on a larger scale to solve real problems and to create marketable, exportable products, which in turn creates jobs.”