The Challenges of Developing and Implementing Open Government Policies in a Federal Setting: The Case of Canada

Abstract Over the years, data has become ubiquitous in public policy and beyond. From strengthening transparency and accountability to fostering innovation, the essential role played by data in contemporary public affairs is indisputable. To support the expanding importance of data in the design and delivery of public services in the digital age, countries worldwide have adopted open government policies that ensure the wide and free availability of public data as an engine of positive change. Open government can be understood as “[a] governing culture that holds that the public has the right to access the documents and proceedings of government to allow for greater openness, accountability, and engagement” (Government of Canada, 2014a, b). The main rationale backing up open government policies is that by making data as widely available and useful as possible, governments would be better equipped to garner the public’s trust, increase participation, and support data-driven innovation. Hence, there is a strong link between open government and good governance.