Responses to our online consultation question 1 (Page 16)

This is what we have heard in response to our online consultation question 1: "What could be done to make it easier for you to find and use government data provided online?"

It would be beneficial to see a uniformed storage and retrieval process that is used universally through all government departments. Currently, it can be confusing and frustrating when searching for information and remembering the quirks that are specific to each department website. It would be beneficial if when looking for a topic in one department that links to the same/related topic available from other departments.

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- Nichole O

Before I can find and use it, you have to collect it consistently. Bring back the compulsory long form census.

Make the government pages less 'department-centric' and more topic driven. I realize this might be a challenge, so consider a front end that allows people to do a topic search and then drill down to the right department.

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- Penelope

If there is government data online it would help if I knew about it. A 'Google' for gov data would be helpful - one portal where I could search and access all that I'm after.

BUT - it must be easy to access. Fewer clicks to access. This survey had too many privacy and agreement links to get through before anything meaningful...

- Tim

• Better cataloguing of metadata for datasets so that information would be easily discoverable.

• The ability to convert data to a format that can be consumed by GIS and non-GIS software like shapefiles, databases, spreadsheets, KML, etc.

• Streamlined and consistant licensing across gov't departments.

- OntDataUser

more to be done through public libraries...

- victor