Open Government is about sharing information, records, and data with everyone so that residents are aware of and understand what their government is doing.
Open Government means that residents have a right to know about, and have access to, government proceedings and information. It allows residents to participate in the government’s decision-making process. It requires the government to help residents understand what the government is doing and how it works.
City Council approved the City of Winnipeg’s Open Government Policy in February 2017. This policy provides a framework to continue to move towards being more open, transparent, and accountable.
Winnipeggers seeking to be more engaged with their local government have more tools than ever at their disposal to access information, obtain services, and become involved in the political process. The City is continually working to use technology and innovation to be more open and accessible.
View the 2025 Open Government and Open Data Annual Report.
Decision-making process
Council and committee meetings, as well as Board of Revision hearings are live-streamed and are recorded for later viewing. Hansard and disposition documents created for and shared through the Decision Making Information System are available in machine-readable format. Residents can register as delegations to provide opinions and feedback on matters before committees and Council.
Public engagement
The Office of Public Engagement (OPE) provides residents with information on projects happening in the city. The OPE also provides details on upcoming public engagement opportunities.
Access to information
Individuals can make a FIPPA request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) for records with personal or general information, including police and fire reports. The City regularly publishes its responses to FIPPA requests for records of general information to Open Data. Also, under the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), individuals can request a copy of their personal health information held by the City, such as patient care reports from Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
Privacy
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), the City may only collect personal or personal health information when it is authorized by law. The City must protect the personal and personal health information in its custody or control through reasonable administrative, technological, and physical safeguards.
Records management
City records are governed by Records Management By-law 123/2020. It outlines how we create, manage, and dispose of records.
Open data
Significant work has been done to increase the amount of information that is available to the public through the City’s Open Data Portal.
Services using data & analytics
The City builds applications using Open Data that make it easier and faster for residents to get information. At the same time, the City is using innovation and technology to provide services more efficiently.
One example of data and analytics services is the Open Capital Projects Dashboard. This dashboard tracks the progress on capital projects with budgets of $15 million or more. Another example is the Open Budget tool to explore the City’s capital spending.