AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Veterans Affairs Canada Audit of Travel, Hospitality, Conferences and Events - December 2014

Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event activities are essential to the effective delivery of government services. At Veterans Affairs Canada, these activities can include:

  * a staff member travelling to a Veteran’s home to complete an assessment;
  * refreshments being provided to guests of the Department during a meeting;
  * health professionals attending a conference to discuss the latest developments in the field; or
  * a commemoration event celebrating the sacrifice of Veterans.

Effective April 1, 2014, the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures was updated with new requirements. The intent of these changes was to strengthen oversight and accountability to ensure sound fiscal management of public funds.

The objective of this audit was to assess compliance with the Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures and ensure that the new changes had been properly implemented. Audit results confirmed that Veterans Affairs Canada was mostly compliant with the requirements of the Directive. There is one recommendation on ensuring the committing of funds are actioned in accordance with governing authorities. Overall, the audit team determined the results to be "Generally Acceptable".

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Ex Gratia Payments Audit - April 2011

The Ex Gratia Payments Audit was recommended for inclusion in the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Multi-Year Risk-Based Internal Audit Plan 2010-2013 by VAC’s Departmental Audit Committee (DAC) on March 18, 2010. The purpose of the audit was to examine the adequacy of controls put in place for the processing of applications for ex gratia payments. The audit fieldwork was substantially completed on December 15, 2010. 

Ex gratia payments are one-time payments for a fixed duration of time and stringent pre-set eligibility and entitlement criteria are applied. In recent years, VAC has budgeted $135M for these programs. The majority of the work in this audit focused on the most recent payment, i.e., Agent Orange ex gratia payments. In September 2007, the Minister of Veterans Affairs announced a $20,000 ex gratia payment related to the testing of unregistered US military herbicides, including Agent Orange, at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in 1966 and 1967. 


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Report on Plans and Priorities

Our Report on Plans and Priorities is tabled in Parliament in the spring of each year. This report provides Parliamentarians and Canadians with information on the Portfolio's plans and priorities over a three-year period, based on our strategic outcomes. Also included are financial tables showing planned resources required to achieve our planned results. This report is now known as the Departmental Plan. Additional reports can be found here: https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/d9459640-cfbb-47be-b591-cc94dde848cc.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Review of Marijuana for Medical Purposes - November 2016

Prior to the introduction of the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR), the Medical Marihuana Access Regulations (MMARs) extremely limited access to cannabis to a small number of conditions and circumstances and only when authorized by a specialist. Since 2008, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has provided coverage for the cost of marijuana for medical purposes (MMP) to Veterans who obtained the product in accordance with Health Canada regulations. Under the MMARs , access was in limited circumstances and the number of Veterans receiving MMP were appropriately low.

On April 1st, 2014, Health Canada released new regulations which eliminated the need to meet certain health criteria before obtaining MMP. The new regulations allow private producers, licensed by Health Canada, to supply MMP to Canadians who have authorization from a physician to access the product. The licensed producers determine the price to charge their recipients. The number of recipients with active authorizations for MMP has been increasing every year. Expenditures for MMP have increased from approximately $416,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 to $20,538,153 in fiscal year 2015-16.

In March 2016, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Kent Hehr, announced a comprehensive review of MMP in response to observations from the Auditor General of Canada. 

Objectives of the review included the development of a recipient profile, assessment of Veterans Affairs Canada's internal governance and compliance, identification of gaps in Veteran health, safety and well-being; and, a review of other benefits, services and programs that the Department is providing to Veterans in receipt of marijuana for medical purposes.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Audit of the Federal Health Claims Processing System National Investigative Unit - October 2012

The Federal Health Claims Processing System is the automated system that processes health claims for Veterans Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. To administer this large and complex system, Public Works and Government Services Canada contracts the services of a private health insurer, Medavie Blue Cross. Of the three departments, Veterans Affairs Canada is the largest user accounting for 87% of the total volume of claims processed. In 2010/11, there were 13.5 million claims processed for Veterans Affairs Canada at a value of $640 million. 

To protect the financial integrity of the claims processed, Medavie Blue Cross is contractually obligated to conduct investigative services of the 170,000 health care providers registered to deliver benefits or services to Veterans. The National Investigative Unit, within Medavie Blue Cross, conducts various audit activities to ensure that the health care providers are complying with the requirements. These activities include:

  * analyzing claims data to identify providers whose billing practices may not comply with the requirements; 

  * distributing letters to Veterans to verify that benefits and services billed were actually received; 

  * mail audits requesting providers to submit additional documentation to support a claim submitted; and 

  * on-site audits where investigators will travel to the health care provider's business to meet with the staff and review the supporting documentation on location. 

The purpose of these audit activities is to identify potential recoveries, educate health care providers on the billing requirements and act as deterrent to improper billing practices.


Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Accessibility Progress Report 2024

On 11 July 2019, the Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81) came into force. The Act seeks to make Canada barrier-free by 1 January 2040.

The Act also requires federally regulated entities to develop an Accessibility Action Plan to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers under federal jurisdiction in the following priority areas:

employment
the built environment (buildings and public spaces)
information and communication technologies
communication, other than information and communication technologies
the procurement of goods, services and facilities
the design and delivery of programs and services
transportation
VAC’s Accessibility Action Plan 2022-2025 (the Plan) identifies several actions to take to prevent and remove accessibility barriers in these priority areas. The Plan also identifies actions that will support the Department in advancing its accessibility culture shift.

VAC is proud to have released its first ever Accessibility Progress Report 2023, which highlights achievements since the Plan was implemented in 2022.

This Accessibility Progress Report 2024 does not cover the entire calendar year, given the time that was required to have the Report approved and published. VAC’s Accessibility Progress Report 2024 will touch on areas such as internal and external consultations, and organizational culture shift. Any progress made in 2024 that is not addressed in this Report will be carried over and covered in the Accessibility Action Plan 2025-2028.

As the Department moves forward on its journey to become barrier-free, we will embrace the opportunity to report back annually on progress, and to strengthen our performance measurement capacity. Through updated accessibility action plans and progress reports, the Department will hold itself accountable.

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada Annual Report on the Administration of the Access to Information Act

The *Access to Information Act* gives Canadian citizens and corporations the right to have access to federal government records, subject to certain specific exceptions. The *Act* complements but does not replace other procedures for obtaining government information. It is not intended to limit in any way the access to government information that is normally available to the public upon request.

These annual reports on the administration of the *Access to Information Act* describes how Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman (OVO) fulfilled their responsibilities under the *Access to Information Act* during each fiscal year beginning April 1 and ending March 31. 

Organization: Veterans Affairs Canada | Anciens Combattants Canada
Monthly fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation absorbed of Canada from Medium Resolution Satellite Imagery

Fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) quantified the absorbed by green foliage. fAPAR has been identified by the Global Climate Observing System as an essential climate variable required for ecosystem, weather and climate modelling and monitoring.  This product consists of a national scale coverage (Canada) of monthly maps of fAPAR during a growing season (May-June-July-August-September)  at 20m resolution.  
  
  References:  
  
  L. Brown, R. Fernandes, N. Djamai, C. Meier, N. Gobron, H. Morris, C. Canisius, G. Bai, C. Lerebourg, C. Lanconelli, M. Clerici, J. Dash. Validation of baseline and modified Sentinel-2 Level 2 Prototype Processor leaf area index retrievals over the United States IISPRS J. Photogramm. Remote Sens., 175 (2021), pp. 71-87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2021.02.020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924271621000617  
  
  Richard Fernandes, Luke Brown, Francis Canisius, Jadu Dash, Liming He, Gang Hong, Lucy Huang, Nhu Quynh Le, Camryn MacDougall, Courtney Meier, Patrick Osei Darko, Hemit Shah, Lynsay Spafford, Lixin Sun, 2023.  
  
  Validation of Simplified Level 2 Prototype Processor Sentinel-2 fraction of canopy cover, fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and leaf area index products over North American forests,  
  
  Remote Sensing of Environment, Volume 293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2023.113600.  
  
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425723001517

Organization: Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada
Monthly Leaf Area Index of Canada from Medium Resolution Satellite Imagery

Leaf area index (LAI) quantified the density of vegetation irrespective of land cover.  LAI quantifies the total foliage surface area per ground surface area.  LAI has been identified by the Global Climate Observing System as an essential climate variable required for ecosystem, weather and climate modelling and monitoring.  This product consists of a national scale coverage (Canada) of monthly maps of the maximum LAI during a growing season (May-June-july-August-September)  at 20m.  
  
  References:  
  
  L. Brown, R. Fernandes, N. Djamai, C. Meier, N. Gobron, H. Morris, C. Canisius, G. Bai, C. Lerebourg, C. Lanconelli, M. Clerici, J. Dash. Validation of baseline and modified Sentinel-2 Level 2 Prototype Processor leaf area index retrievals over the United States IISPRS J. Photogramm. Remote Sens., 175 (2021), pp. 71-87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2021.02.020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924271621000617  
  
  Richard Fernandes, Luke Brown, Francis Canisius, Jadu Dash, Liming He, Gang Hong, Lucy Huang, Nhu Quynh Le, Camryn MacDougall, Courtney Meier, Patrick Osei Darko, Hemit Shah, Lynsay Spafford, Lixin Sun, 2023.  
  
  Validation of Simplified Level 2 Prototype Processor Sentinel-2 fraction of canopy cover, fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and leaf area index products over North American forests,  
  
  Remote Sensing of Environment, Volume 293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2023.113600.  
  
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425723001517

Organization: Natural Resources Canada | Ressources naturelles Canada
Transgenic Rodent Assay Dose-response Database (TRAD)

The Transgenic Rodent Assay Dose-response Database contains all available dose-response data for the Transgenic Rodent Somatic and Germ Cell Mutation Assay. The assay is used to detect agents that can induce genetic mutations and is conducted as described in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guideline 488.

The database contains data from experiments conducted using transgenic rodents (i.e., mice or rats). The experiments were aimed at assessing the mutagenic activity of selected agents (e.g., chemicals) by exposing the rodents to the compounds by various exposure routes (e.g., drinking water, food, injection, etc.). 

The database contains the results of animal studies that tested chemicals at two or more doses; each dataset contains data for a concurrent control. The database is useful for dose-response modeling (e.g., benchmark dose analyses) to determine a point of departure that may subsequently be used for human health hazard and/or risk assessment.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Radon and Thoron Data From Canadian Homes 

Radon (Rn-222) is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. It can easily move through small spaces in soils and other materials, allowing it to enter buildings and accumulate to levels that can pose a health risk. Health Canada recommends that all Canadians test their home for radon and remediate if levels are higher than 200 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m³). 

In order to better understand the risk to Canadians from exposure to radon and thoron, the National Radon Program (NRP) conducted an indoor residential measurement survey in 2012-2013 to gather information on radon and thoron levels across the Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) in Canada.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Toronto Air Pollution and COVID-19 Data by Neighbourhood

The file comprises COVID-19 case counts, population, demographic and air pollution data by Toronto neighbourhood. The data were employed in an ecological study of the association between air pollution and incidence of COVID-19. Data were obtained from the Toronto Open Data portal, McGill University, the University of Toronto, the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) and Statistics Canada. 

The study found that there was a positive association between COVID-19 incidence and long-term exposure to reactive oxygen species in fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The association was larger in magnitude in neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of Black residents.

The results require further examination using studies based on individual-level rather than area-level data. Supporting documentation: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202011-4142OC

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
National Air Pollution and COVID-19 Data by Health Region

The file comprises COVID-19 case counts, population, demographic and air pollution data by health region. The data were employed in a national ecological study of the association between air pollution and incidence of COVID-19. Data were obtained from the COVID-19 Canada Open Data portal, the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE), Statistics Canada and Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports. 

The study found that there was a positive association between COVID-19 incidence and long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The association was larger in magnitude and stronger in health regions with higher rates of COVID-19, and in those health regions where estimated exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is expected to be more accurate.

The results require further examination using studies based on individual-level rather than area-level data. Supporting documentation: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110052

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Telephone number architecture

This dataset provides the format of telephone numbers in Canada based on the Canadian Numbering and Dialling Plan from the Canadian Numbering Administrator. This dataset also aligns with the ITU-T E.164 and the North American Numbering Plan.

Find more resources with the keyword “[reference data]( https://search.open.canada.ca/opendata/?keywords_en=reference+data)”

Organization: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat | Secrétariat du Conseil du Trésor du Canada
Data Reference Standard on Person(s): sex assigned at birth

This data reference standard is part of a suite that provides a standard list of values to categorize data on person(s).  

The list reflects the classifications of sex assigned at birth and is designed to provide common data variables of the reported sex at birth, typically assigned based on a person’s reproductive system and other physical characteristics.  

This data reference standard is to be used by exception and read in conjunction with Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada’s Sex and Gender Information Practices and the Disaggregated Data Action Plan. 

This list of values is intended to standardize the way sex assigned at birth classifications are coded in datasets to enable data interoperability and improve data quality. The numbering system is a one-digit code. 

The appendix lists a data reference table that includes the one-digit codes for designating sex assigned at birth.  

Not included in this data reference standard is the lived or current sex of person(s). 

This data reference standard will be reviewed as required by the data reference steward in consultation with the data reference standard custodian. 
For support or advice on the measurement of “sex at birth of person” or related data variables, contact [statcan.csds-cnsd.statcan@statcan.gc.ca](mailto:statcan.csds-cnsd.statcan@statcan.gc.ca). 

Find more resources with the keyword “[reference data]( https://search.open.canada.ca/opendata/?keywords_en=reference+data)”

Organization: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat | Secrétariat du Conseil du Trésor du Canada
Real-time Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring in Canada

Terrestrial gamma dose rates, reported as ambient dose equivalent in the unit nSv/hr, are presented for the past ninety days to present. Data is measured in real-time, typically from the spectroscopic dosimeters of the Fixed Point Surveillance (FPS) Network. Dosimeter stations of this network are located in population centres and other strategic locations across Canada. Real-time data provides insight into typical levels and fluctuations of radioactivity in the Canadian environment and may provide early detection of sources of radioactivity other than environmental background.  
  
  As a reference, the Nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills can be found in the Open Maps catalogue and added to the Real-time Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring map using the "+" (Add layer) button of the viewer’s “Layers” panel. The ESRI REST or WMS links found in the Nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills metadata record is what’s needed to proceed. These links can be found here: https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/6478153c-829f-4649-bd52-41f63b41021f.  
  
  The Nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills dataset provided by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission corresponds to nuclear licensees that operate across Canada. This includes uranium mines and mills, uranium processing facilities, nuclear power plants, research reactors, particle accelerators, and nuclear substances processing facilities. All of these facilities are licensed by the CNSC and are subject to strict regulatory oversight to ensure the safety of the public and the environment.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
The Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network – Monitoring Stations

Health Canada routinely collects environmental samples for radioactivity analysis. The backbone of its monitoring comes from three separate networks: The Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network (CRMN), the Fixed Point Surveillance Network (FPS), and a Canadian contribution to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTo). This dataset provides the approximate sampling location of the monitoring stations for each network.  
  
  CRMN is a national network that routinely collects air particulate, precipitation, external gamma dose, drinking water, atmospheric water vapour, and milk samples for radioactivity analysis. The CRMN has been operating since 1959, and is used to establish long-term trends in naturally occurring environmental radioactivity, nuclear weapons fallout, as well as radioactivity generated by other human activities including nuclear power generation and medical isotope production. Full datasets for the Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network are available on the Open Government Portal.  
  
  The Fixed Point Surveillance System (FPS) is an integrated network of radiation detectors providing terrestrial gamma radiation measurements in real time.  The detectors are located in every province and territory of Canada with larger numbers in the vicinity of major Canadian nuclear facilities and ports where nuclear powered vessels sometimes harbour.  Almost real time measurements are available on the EURDEP (EUropean Radiological Data Exchange Platform) website and monthly summaries are provided on the Health Canada website.    
  
  The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a universal arms control treaty that bans all States from conducting nuclear explosions in any environment (atmosphere, underground, underwater). Canada is a signatory to the United Nations CTBT. The Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada is responsible for four certified radionuclide monitoring stations and a certified radionuclide laboratory. Additional information on the CTBT is available on the CTBTo website.  
  
  The map shows the approximate sampling location for each monitoring station. Stations are found within the associated location range.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
The Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network – Tritium in Drinking Water

This dataset provides the results obtained by Health Canada’s Radiological Monitoring Network (CRMN) for the tritium activity concentration in drinking water originating from the water treatment plants in Ottawa, ON. More information about the CRMN network can be found on the Health Canada website (see link below).   
  
  The results provided are the tritium activity concentration in units of becquerels per litre (Bq/L). Although ensuring water quality is a matter of provincial jurisdiction, the CRMN, in collaboration with the city of Ottawa, has been conducting a targeted program to monitor the radiological content of drinking water from two water treatment plants in Ottawa, ON.  
  
  The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality recommend a Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) for tritium in drinking water of 7000 Bq/L. The measured activity concentrations of tritium in drinking water are well below this guideline value.  
  
  The map shows the approximate sampling location for each monitoring station. Stations are found within the associated location range.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada