Summit to Explore ‘Governance in the Digital Age: Unlocking Public Value Through Data’

FREDERICTON, NB – June 16, 2025 – The Canadian Open Data Society and the Pond-Deshpande Centre, with principal support from the Government of New Brunswick, today announced the official opening of the Call for Proposals for the 2025 Canadian Open Data & GovMaker Summit. Set to take place from November 24 to 26, 2025, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, this year’s Summit will explore an overarching theme of “Governance in the Digital Age: Unlocking Public Value Through Data.”

The Summit brings together a diverse community to explore how data and innovative governance practices can drive public value, enhance services, and foster a more transparent and prosperous Canada. Organizers are inviting leaders, innovators, and practitioners from across the country to share their insights and expertise.

The comprehensive program will feature sessions aligned with the following themes:

• Building a Future-Ready Government with AI, Data, Digital Tools and Skills: Exploring innovative approaches to training, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in areas such as GenAI, data governance, digital service delivery, and user-centred design.

• Open Data & Transparent Government: Strategies for enhancing transparency through proactive information disclosure, open data initiatives, and citizen engagement platforms, alongside discussions on data quality, privacy, and equitable access.

• Economic Growth & Prosperity: Examining how open data and innovative government practices can stimulate innovation, support entrepreneurship, and create inclusive economic opportunities.

• Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Focusing on how digital tools, interoperable health records, and ethical health data use can lead to more efficient, accessible, and personalized healthcare systems.

A more detailed overview of each sub-theme can be found here. Contributors can submit proposals for various session formats:

• Lightning Talk: (8 minutes, questions offline afterwards) – A short, focused talk.
• Presentation: (20 minutes + 5 minutes for questions) – A longer prepared talk.
• Panel: (20 – 40 minutes) – An interactive discussion animated by a host.
• Workshop: (85 minutes) – An opportunity to build skills, strategize, or solve problems.

Key Dates for Proposals:

• Call for Proposals Opens: June 16, 2025
• Submission Deadline: July 11, 2025
• Speaker Notification: August 11, 2025

Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to submit their proposals by visiting: opendatasummit.ca/call

About the Canadian Open Data Society: The Canadian Open Data Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and promoting the use of open data across Canada. It aims to foster a vibrant open data ecosystem by connecting individuals and organizations passionate about data liberation, transparency, and innovation.

About the Pond-Deshpande Centre: The Pond-Deshpande Centre, based at the University of New Brunswick, is a leading social innovation lab dedicated to addressing complex socio-economic challenges in New Brunswick and beyond. It fosters an ecosystem of creativity, entrepreneurship, and systems thinking to drive positive change and create public value.