Open Data & GovMaker Summit 2025
The 2025 Canadian Open Data & GovMaker Summit, held November 24–26 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, brought together leaders, innovators, policymakers, and practitioners from across Canada to explore the theme: Governance in the Digital Age: Unlocking Public Value Through Data.
Co-organized by the Canadian Open Data Society and the UNB’s Pond-Deshpande Centre, with principal support from the Government of New Brunswick, the Summit explored how data, technology, and innovative governance practices can improve public services, strengthen transparency, and create economic opportunities.
Through engaging presentations, panel discussions, lightning talks, and interactive workshops, participants explored key topics including artificial intelligence, open data, economic growth, and digital transformation in healthcare, while sharing ideas and practical solutions for building a more connected, inclusive, and future-ready Canada.
2025 Themes
The 2025 Canadian Open Data & GovMaker Summit kicked off with a day dedicated to learning, skill-building, and connection. Two free pre-conference training sessions gave participants the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of open data and its role in creating public value, followed by a hands-on introduction to building dashboards and applications using generative AI.
The day concluded with an opening reception at the Fredericton Convention Centre, welcoming participants, speakers, and leaders from across Canada. The evening provided an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, build new relationships, and set the stage for two days of conversations about the future of data and governance. Check out Day 1’s Photos!
The first full day of the Summit brought together leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to explore how data and technology can improve public services and governance.
Through keynote presentations, panels, lightning talks, and interactive workshops, participants explored topics including healthcare transformation, AI governance, open data, and human-centred service design. The day encouraged meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, highlighting practical ways to build more transparent, responsive, and accessible public services. Day 2’s Photos!
The final day of the Summit focused on responsible innovation, collaboration, and turning data into meaningful public impact.
Through keynotes, panels, lightning talks, and workshops, participants explored topics including quality of life, responsible AI, digital transformation, and people-centred public services. The Summit concluded with a keynote from the Honourable Cindy Miles, highlighting the importance of evidence, empathy, and leadership in shaping a more open, innovative, and future-ready public sector. Day 3’s Photos!
Day 1 — Monday, November 24
The Canadian Open Data & GovMaker Summit 2025 kicked off with a day of hands-on learning and networking!
At the Wu Conference Centre, participants joined two free pre-conference training sessions. Karen Parker led Open Data Fundamentals: From Principles to Public Value, exploring the foundations of open data and its practical applications. In the afternoon, Eugene Chen led Build Your Own Dashboard or App Using Generative AI, introducing participants to new ways of working with data and AI tools.
The day wrapped up with an opening reception at the Fredericton Convention Centre, bringing attendees, speakers, and partners together to connect ahead of the two-day Summit.
Explore the Day 1 Photos and revisit the opening moments of the Summit!
Award Nominations
Day 2 — Tuesday, November 25
The first full day of the Canadian Open Data & GovMaker Summit 2025 opened with Sean Boots reflecting on public service excellence in an uncertain world, followed by Alex Ryan and Graeme Kohler sharing lessons from Nova Scotia’s Health Beyond Hospital initiative.
Throughout the day, speakers explored practical challenges facing governments, from improving how departments collect and share data to making public services more responsive. Kelly Lamrock and Sarah Wagner discussed building a more accountable and human-centred system, while Nick Scott and Judy Wagner shared lessons from the Reimagine GNB initiative.
Other highlights included discussions on AI governance, using open data to improve public procurement, and reducing emergency room congestion through patient-centred design. Afternoon lightning talks brought forward ideas on community-led change, removing government data silos, and improving healthcare delivery.
Browse the Day 2 Photos to revisit the speakers, discussions, and connections from across the Summit.
Day 3 — Wednesday, November 26
The final day of the Canadian Open Data & GovMaker Summit 2025 opened with Danny Graham of Engage Nova Scotia exploring how quality of life can be measured beyond traditional economic indicators, followed by a conversation with Minister René Legacy and Nick Scott on innovation, collaboration, and transparency in government.
Throughout the day, sessions examined responsible AI in public services, data-driven economic growth, digital confidence, and people-centred approaches to data governance. Workshops and lightning talks covered practical applications, from using AI in government and improving access to childcare to strengthening public engagement.
The Summit concluded with a keynote from the Honourable Cindy Miles on bringing evidence and empathy together in people-centred leadership.
Thank To Our Precious Sponsors
