Toronto has opened a new website that will allow users to search and download city data in an effort to increase transparency.
Instead of contacting the city and requesting information be sent to them, Torontonians can now go to toronto.ca/open and download data about, among other topics, the TTC, daycare centres, parks or neighbourhoods designated as priorities for investment.
The city hopes to make much more data available in the future.
"We are letting the most valuable asset — the information and knowledge generated on behalf of the public — available to everyone who wants it," said Mayor David Miller at a news conference.
The city hopes those who visit the site will be able to harness the raw data to create applications or resources that everyone can use. Users could then create an interactive map of the city's daycare centres or a TTC schedule resource akin to the Red Rocket, an unofficial year-old iPhone application.
The city also said in a release it wants to hear from Torontonians what kind of data they would like to see on the site. Data will be reviewed before it is released to ensure that people's privacy is protected, the city said.
