The BBC reports that the UK Government is making gigabytes of government data freely available as it encourages the public to develop innovative mashups with the information. There is a prize fund for the best ideas for using data such as mapping information, medical data, and neighbourhood statistics.
Open Access Promo Material by Biblioteekje (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Open Access
NSERC Moving Toward Open Access
Heather Morrison reports that NSERC, one of the three major federal granting councils, is likely to adopt open access requirements by March 2009.
University of Calgary Funds Open Access Authors Fund
The University of Calgary has established a $100,000 fund to increase the amount of publicly available research. The fund of this size is the first of its kind in Canada (hat tip: Heather Morrison).
Conservatives Kill ATIP Database
The CBC is reporting that the Conservative government has quietly killed the CAIRS database, an invaluable source of information that listed virtually all ATIP requests. The database was an essential research tool for more open government and the decision will have an exceptionally damaging effect on government accountability and transparency.
Industry Committee on Canada’s Science and Technology Strategy
The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology has commenced the hearings on Canada's science and technology policy. There are a handful of submissions online including CIPPIC, Tracey Lauriault, Russell McOrmand, the BCLA, and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. My submission is posted below:
Recent Posts
Government Reverses on Bill C-2: Removes Lawful Access Warrantless Demand Powers in New Border Bill 
Why The Recent TikTok Privacy Ruling Swaps Privacy for Increased Surveillance 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 245: Kate Robertson on Bill C-2’s Cross-Border Data Sharing Privacy Risks 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 244: Kris Klein on the Long Road to a Right to be Forgotten Under Canadian Privacy Law 
Government Doubles Down in Defending Bill C-2’s Information Demand Powers That Open the Door to Warrantless Access of Personal Information
