This paper outlines the key elements of a data strategy for Canada. It has been prepared under the overall coordination of CIGI President Rohinton P. Medhora, with the input of several leading scholars and practitioners. The paper starts by making the case for a data strategy and describing its possible ambit. It considers the sectors in Canada where a national data strategy is most needed and examines the domestic and international policy considerations. While this paper cannot flesh out such a strategy in detail, it is hoped that it will start a much-needed conversation among political leaders, policy developers, business people and civil society about how Canadians can prosper from the data revolution in a way that respects our fundamental values. In the coming weeks, CIGI will publish a series of essays that will consider many of the issues raised in this overview paper.
