The City of Courtenay is making digital mapping data available to the public through a new open data catalogue.

Open data is data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone. 

The open data site has a selection of geographic information system (GIS) data including zoning, property parcels, addressing, roads, and utilities. The site makes it easy for citizens, contractors, or developers to access the City’s data.

Users can filter datasets to meet their needs, or combine the data to create custom maps or applications.

Neil Borecky, the City of Courtenay’s Manager of Information Systems, said the new technology will provide the public with free and open access to City mapping data. “Open data is a powerful tool, and we’re pleased we can now share this resource with the community,” noted Borecky.

“We’ve been developing this data for years, and our GIS team of Julia Machin and Averlee Howie have made this accessibility possible.  The City’s GIS department will continue to add to our Open Data catalogue over time. We look forward to seeing how others may use it.”

The data can be viewed online or downloaded as a spreadsheet, KML (for Google Maps), or Shapefile (for GIS software). All data is updated on a weekly basis.

A selection of interactive online maps based on the open data catalogue is also available.

To access the open data catalogue and interactive maps, go to https://data-courtenay.opendata.arcgis.com/ or  www.courtenay.ca/maps