THE DISSEMINATION OF GOVERNMENT
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Tim Werschler - Statistics Canada
Julie Rancourt - Department of Justice
Winter 2005
Version 1.2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Across all sectors of Canadian society, it is becoming increasingly recognized that basic geographic information serves as a direct input to informed decision-making in a wide variety of activities, including logistics, investment, public policy, citizen mobility and awareness, health research, resource management and emergency preparedness. The rapid development and widespread proliferation of distributed computing and the Internet over the last decade have only increased the demand for access to a variety of geographic data. However, the data dissemination and licensing frameworks used to promote, extend and support the use of government geographic data generally have not kept pace with developments in technical capacity and growing user demand. Many data users point to the lack of a more integrated and consistent framework for the dissemination and licensing of government geographic data as inimical to the goal of promoting its wider use and benefit.
Recognizing the need for streamlined distribution models for the dissemination and licensing of government geographic data, the GeoConnections Policy Node has supported several initiatives aimed at advancing discussions on an integrated framework for the dissemination and licensing of government geographic data. The development of The Dissemination of Government Geographic Data in Canada: Guide to Best Practices (the “Guide to Best Practices”) is one such initiative.
The Guide to Best Practices sets out an integrated framework for the three types of government geographic data dissemination and licensing models most commonly used in Canada - the unrestricted use model, the end-user model and the distributor model. For each of these, the Guide to Best Practices provides a rationale for appropriate use, explains how each model builds on common structures, demonstrates their inter-relationships and provides clear guidelines to assist licensing practitioners in selecting the most appropriate model and appurtenant licence agreement.
Recommended approaches to fundamental concepts such as intellectual property, liability, duration and termination are discussed in detail for the benefit of practitioners, and are guided by data dissemination policy directives currently in force across federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada.
The Guide to Best Practices is the culmination of extensive, broad-based consultation with federal, provincial, and territorial government agencies, as well as the private and academic sectors involved in the production, use and/or licensing of government geographic data. The value of such consultation among participants has also driven the establishment of inter-departmental and inter-governmental working groups on government geographic data dissemination so as to foster continued collaboration on common approaches to data licensing, analysis of issues, and impact on data users. Collectively, these efforts are contributing to the wider use and value of government geographic data for the benefit of all.
Acknowledgements
This edition of The Dissemination of Government Geographic Data in Canada: Guide to Best Practices is the culmination of extensive discussion within government, the private and academic sectors, on ways to further improve the use and benefit of government geographic data through the refinement of public sector data dissemination objectives and the licensing practices necessary to achieve them.
The GeoConnections Program, and particularly the GeoConnections Policy Node has supported these discussions since the summer of 2002, first by encouraging the start-up of working groups to discuss and develop a general approach to standard licence agreements; and, as the work progressed, by supporting the development of a single integrated data dissemination and licensing framework for use by those involved in the management or licensing of government geographic data.
While many individuals participated in this process, the contributions of several stand out as having provided key input to the discussions. These include:
To the Reader
The continued refinement of The Dissemination of Government Geographic Data in Canada: Guide to Best Practices is a collaborative process. We rely on the reader's input to suggest progressive improvements to the Guide so that it remains a valuable information asset for the public sector licensing community. Please use the Feedback Form provided in Appendix D to propose changes for consideration in the preparation of subsequent versions of the Guide.
The Guide is intended to be gender neutral. Any references to a particular gender is intended to and shall be construed as including both the masculine and the feminine genders.