Frequently Asked Questions

Enter your search terms on the main landing page, dataset list page, or use the hourglass, such as "traplines" or "fire" to search for your datasets. If you can't find your dataset, try being more specific with your search terms or use the filters to narrow your results by organization, group or format.

If you have questions about specific data, please review the Contact section for a list of contacts or use the Contact Data Expert button at the top of the dataset record.

Not all data is accessible directly, although access to available secure data must be authorized by the custodial business area. Each area has its own processes they follow to grant access using different security configurations. Some datasets have data use agreements that must be signed with the custodial business area. Review the Contact section for a list of contacts, specifically a Custodian and/or Data Manager, or use the Contact Data Expert button at the top of the dataset record.

If you have questions about specific data, please review the Contact section for a list of contacts or use the Contact Data Expert button at the top of the dataset record.

Yes, see the API guide.

For example: How to query a word: https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/api/3/action/package_search?q=flooding

Open Data:

• “Open Data is the idea that some data should be freely available to everyone to use and republish as they wish, without restrictions from copyright, patents or other mechanisms of control” - Wikipedia

Access Only:

• For the reproduction of materials found in the BC Data Catalogue, either a licence agreement (as specified in the BC Data Catalogue) will apply, or the materials are "Access Only" and reproduction is not permitted without written permission.
• To request permission, please complete the Copyright Permission Request Form.
  • If a licence agreement applies, permission is subject to the terms of the specified licence.

Crown Copyright:

• Crown copyright is a form of copyright claim used by the governments of a number of Commonwealth realms. It provides special copyright rules for the Crown, i.e. government departments and (generally) state entities - Wikipedia.
• You can find information about Crown Copyright on this BC Government website.

Yes, this is explained in the OGL_BC licence.

No, there are some restrictions, as explained in the Assessment and Checklist.

Licensing data as Open increases the likelihood that the public will benefit from the data, either directly or through applications that can use the data.

As explained on this site, licensing data as Open increases transparency, improves public service, increases efficiency, and contributes to innovation.

A data publisher needs an Editor account. This provides access to uploading data and creating a searchable dataset record. An Editor account also allows you to view, manage, update, and maintain data and records.

An Editor has an assigned responsibility to maintain records and data on behalf of the Data Custodian.

1. To obtain an account to publish and manage records for data, applications and services, approval from the Custodian is required. The Custodian may be a Director or Executive Director of a Branch.
2. Please open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system for a new account.

It is common for organizations to have staff who work in other organization or branches who steward their data. 

Therefore Stewards can become providers to the catalogue on behalf of another Custodian.

To be granted access, is the same as the information outlined on how to get access above, but include that the editor will be steward.

BC Government owned data can be published under the Open Government License - British Columbia. This licence lets anyone use or re-purpose data free of charge under a few conditions.

Data Custodians complete the Open Data Assessment checklist to determine if the data meets the requirements of the Open Information and Open Data Policy.

Steps:

1. Along with metadata record created.
2. Download or print the Open Data Assessment Checklist.
3. Complete the checklist.
4. Determine if the data meets the Open Information and Open Data Policy.
   • Checkpoints:
     • Contact the Intellectual Property Program to assist with copyright checks.
     • Contact the Legal Service Branch to assist with legal reviews or advice.
     • Contact your Information Security Officer (MISO) to assist with security controls.
     • Contact your Government Communications and Public Engagement ministry contact to assist with any public relations advice.
5. Data Custodian approves the assessment.
6. Deputy Minister or delegate approves the assessment.
7. Send and attach the assessment to a request ticket in the Data Systems & Service Request system.

For more details see the Open Data workflow.

The Broader Public Sector (BPS) can publish records but cannot use the OGL-BC and thus require their own Open Data licence. See How to Become a Provider to the Catalogue for more information.

Both branches or executives must agree that the responsibility and authority for a dataset management is being transferred.

Written confirmation of this is required to transfer records by opening a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system to enhance one's holdings.

It is the responsibility of an organization to maintain the contact list as well as other content. If not an editor, all those who log in with IDIRs can see the current list of editors are for an organization.

1. Navigate to the organization.
2. Click Learn more about this organization.
3. Contact the listed editors to change the contact or other details.

Otherwise open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system to have editors for your organization set up.

Organizations regularly change names or move to other ministries as functions shift.

• A Custodian of a branch or an already delegated Editor of an organization can inform us of any organizational changes.
• The administrator of the Catalogue can rename and move organizations around.

Please open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system to update the organizational structure for your Ministry or Branch/Division.

Yes, when programing or scripting against the catalogue API, one can request a Service IDIR be granted access to perform operations. 

Open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system and provide details on how a service idir may enhancement your experience with the catalogue.

Yes, this can be used when testing out the application or using the API.

Open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system, select Finding or Accessing data and let us know what you are looking to do.

Yes, small (<150MB) publicly accessible data files only. For all other sizes or data accessibility alternatives open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system.

Yes, it is powered by CKAN and has an API that can be used to create and manage records as well as data.

See Content Management and Use via the API.

This functionality is not available currently through the user interface; however it is possible with the API.

For support on bulk changes that are over 20 records and need the same action, e.g.,

• A contact from one person to another.
• A resource or related link to a new URL.
• A record from one state to another, e.g., Pending Archive to Archive or push a Published record back to Draft.

Please open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system for bulk changes in the BC Data Catalogue.

This functionality is not available currently through the user interface; however it is possible with the API.

For support, please open a ticket with the Data Systems & Services request system and include in the description:

• The catalogue record link.
• Desired order of resources.
  • How resources should be order should follow some guidelines for example.
    • User Guides should come first.
    • Chronological order for datasets that have a date range with newest first.
    • Those that have the highest value to the end users.
    • Or if there are a lot of resources, alphabetical may also be an option.