Digital and Data Directive, 2021
Overview
Ontario introduced the Open Data Directive in November 2015 as part of its commitment to improve transparency, accountability and openness. As of February 1, 2021, this has subsequently been replaced by the Digital and Data Directive, 2021 (the “Directive”). The Directive sets out key principles and requirements for the design of digital services and the sharing of open government data assets created and managed by Ontario ministries and provincial agencies.
As part of those requirements, all ministries and provincial agencies must:
- create an inventory of data assets within its custody or control;
- publish all datasets in an open format[1] unless the dataset cannot be released for legal, security, confidentiality, privacy or commercially-sensitive reasons.
Publishing data inventories promotes greater transparency and accountability. The OFA’s Open Data Inventory List identifies whether a dataset is currently open, restricted or under review. If a dataset is noted as being “under review,” it means that we are in the process of assessing whether it can be made public or whether it is exempt from release for legal, security, confidentiality, privacy, or commercially-sensitive reasons.
We are sharing government datasets online with you to help encourage innovation and solve problems through new ideas and applications. Please click the links below to view the Ontario Financing Authority’s currently public datasets:
- Travel and Hospitality Expense
- Ontario Bonds Database
The release and use of these datasets is governed by the Open Government Licence – Ontario [ontario.ca].
You can learn more about Ontario’s Digital and Data Directive and how government data is prepared and shared publicly, on the Government of Ontario’s website.
