The Province recently launched iMapBC 2.0, an upgraded version of its popular online mapping toolkit that will provide improved access to thousands of geographical datasets.

Information on the new iMapBC 2.0 will be available for delegates at this week's Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA) Conference in Whistler. Version 2.0 is a significant upgrade to the free, user-friendly web-mapping application, and provides a better experience for developers and end-users who want to use to government map data online.

The new iMapBC 2.0 is faster and compatible with a wider range of web browsers. It incorporates new features to more easily display and understand map data through interactive links. The upgrade also is designed to handle the growing amount of information DataBC continues to add regularly as part of its operations.

iMapBC 2.0 provides tools for a wide range of users including municipal, provincial and federal governments, First Nations groups and companies working in the natural resource and forestry sectors.

For example, iMapBC 2.0's tools can be used to view and analyze government's wide variety of geographic data. This is particularly useful to prospectors in the mining and oil and gas industries, as the data includes up to date information on land use tenures.

Aboriginal communities, including the Maa-nulth First Nations on Vancouver Island, use iMapBC to stay informed about hunting and fishing activity in their traditional territories. When they receive referrals from forestry companies about new logging plans, iMapBC is used to view and assess the planned timber harvest areas along with the location of previously logged areas.

DataBC is part of the continuing work to make wide-ranging government data available to the public for research, analysis or other creative uses. This upgrade is part of a plan to listen to public feedback to continuously improve the delivery of data services to British Columbians.

Quotes:

Minister of Innovation, Technology and Citizens' Services Andrew Wilkinson -

"This new technology will help people find the information and mapping data they need faster and more conveniently."

"Easier access to data means less time searching for information, and more time spent developing projects that will build a stronger economy and create new jobs for British Columbians."

CEO of Latitude Geographics Steven Myhill-Jones -

"This upgrade will make the most of new technology to serve users better, by providing easier access to information and a more streamlined approach to our business."

"We're proud to be a part of this particular chapter in British Columbia's 30-year history of innovation and leadership in the realm of digital mapping."

Maa-nulth Resource Advisor Ron Frank -

"Our members are excited about iMapBC with access to real-time data that is really oriented to our users. It's an eye-opener for some of our members to see how much tenure and activity there has been out on the landscape."

Learn More:

Check out other innovative, mobile and tablet friendly applications on the DataBC website: www.data.gov.bc.ca

Child Care Providers - find a care-giver near you by the type of services they offer: http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/dmf-viewer/?siteid=8583629758344968734

Work BC - find the closest employment services location to help you find a job: http://www.workbc.ca/Work-BC-Centres/Pages/Interactive-Map.aspx

BC Parks - learn more about BC Parks and reserve your desired campsite: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/map.html

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Lara Perzoff
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services
250 387-0172

BACKGROUNDER

Go online to experience open government in B.C.

Quick Facts:

• On July 19, 2011, the B.C. government launched the Open Information and DataBC sites.
• Since its launch, DataBC has published an average of one new dataset every day.
• B.C. already has earned multiple awards for its open government efforts, including a 2012 GTEC Distinction Award, the Institute of Public Administration in Canada's 2011 Public Sector Leadership Award, the Esri Special Achievement award in geographic information systems (GIS) and the Stratford Institute's number-one ranking in Canada for eGovernment in April.
• British Columbia was the first province in the country to create a catalogue of open data. The catalogue free, searchable and available for anyone to use.
• In March 2012, British Columbia became the first province in Canada to release its provincial budget data as open data.
• 3,069 datasets are hosted on the DataBC site, including information from multiple ministries and BC Stats.

DataBC

www.data.gov.bc.ca

British Columbia became the first province in the country to create a site like DataBC, a catalogue of government-held datasets that are free, searchable and available for anyone to use. Currently, more than 3,000 datasets are available to the public.

Contact:

Lara Perzoff
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services
250 387-0172