The territorial government of Yukon has announced easier access to valuable government information through the launch of the government’s first open data portal. This online tool makes government information available to be freely accessed, used and shared by anyone, anywhere, and for any purpose.

The data comes from a wide variety of sources across government. It can be used to create new products or services while promoting the values of public transparency and data-driven decision making.

“A modern, responsible government must disclose more information, not less. This open data portal increases the amount of data available to Yukoners and builds on the new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to strengthen our government’s openness and transparency,” said Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn. “The portal will make it easier for the public to apply their innovative ideas to the information in government datasets.”

The portal provides several key data points with respect to water in the territory, including:

  • Regional Stream Sediment and Water Geochemical Data;
  • Use of Diffuser Systems for Dispersion of Placer Mining Effluent; and
  • Yukon Environmental Monitoring Information, among others.

The Yukon government stated that sharing government information in an open and unrestricted way has many benefits:

  • Provides a one-stop, accessible portal to host scientific, statistical and other data;
  • Reduces red tape by providing an on-demand method for citizens and businesses to access the data they need, when they need it, with clear terms of use; and
  • Supports transparency by making more data about government programs available to the public.

The open data portal puts more information in the hands of citizens, entrepreneurs, researchers, non-government organizations and First Nations Governments, and fosters innovation, education and economic development. It also includes a feature allowing citizens to request the information they would like to see added in the future.

The government has noted that the open data portal is secure, private, and available in both French and English. It is also designed to work with screen readers and magnifiers, on mobile devices and with slow internet connections.

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