The Canadian Geo Spatial Data Infrastructure a water

The Canadian Geo. Spatial Data Infrastructure a water perspective Brian Mc. Leod March 20, 2012 www. rncan. gc. ca

Outline Ø Ø Ø Context Geo. Connections & Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure Geo. Connections – a brief history Geo. Connections III – objectives Water perspective – key programs and interoperabilty activities 2

Information and data are global currency… Ø 24/7 digital economy paved the way for even more competition; social and environmental issues more complex, global in nature Ø increasingly technology and sophisticated analytical techniques are increasing the value of data and information Ø open data will underpin new waves of productivity and generate significant financial value and societal benefits Ø creating transparency and making data readily accessible and re-usable will be the hallmark of successful governments …and geospatial information is essential in driving competiveness and facilitating effective decision-making 3 3

Reliable sources of geospatial information are essential to… …support broad national objectives such as economic growth, social cohesion and well-being, and environmental management 4 4

Geo. Connections and has the CGDI Geo. Connections played a key role by building the CGDI… A national program designed to facilitate access to and use of authoritative geospatial information in Canada through the development, integration and use of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) The CGDI: Ø is the convergence of partnerships, policies, standards, technologies, and framework data necessary to harmonize all of Canada’s location-based information Ø is an on-line resource that improves the sharing, access and use of geospatial information …and is recognized internationally for its pioneering efforts over the last decade 5 5

Geo. Connections: a decade of progress Geo. Connections – a brief history… Three phases of Geo. Connections: Ø 1999 -2004: Establish and build the CGDI – The supply side (framework data – e. g. National Hydro Network, National Road Network; core SDI services) Ø 2005 -2009: Evolve and expand the CGDI for end-users – The demand side (priority communities: public health, public safety/security, environment and aboriginal communities) Ø 2010 -2015: Strategic and operational policy, standards, outreach, and CGDI integration Geo. Connections III: In a word, “INTEROPERABILITY” 6 6

Geo. Connections III Program Elements Geospatial Strategy and Leadership Ø Plan and coordinate geomatics in Canada Ø Develop and implement long-term national strategies and policies (e. g. F/P/T geomatics accord) Ø Strengthen partnerships and governance Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure Ø Evolution of the CGDI Ø Operational policies and standards for CGDI functionality Ø Partnership demonstration/pilot projects to maximize data sharing and system interoperability (e. g. OGC Interoperability Program) Ø Provide tools and resources to help integrate the CGDI …providing leadership and completing the CGDI 7

Geo. Connections III Objectives Ø Increase awareness of the benefits of using geospatial data and tools to achieve goals for key economic, social and environmental priorities Ø Facilitate the integration and use of geospatial data to support effective decision making Ø Coordinate, develop, and support the implementation of national policies, standards and mechanisms to ensure maintenance and updating of geospatial data and integration with global standards Ø Keep Canada at the leading edge of accessing, sharing and using geospatial information via the Internet …providing the foundation for sound decision-making 8

Technology as a driver for policies and standards Technology and trends driving standards and policy development Technological/Trends § Open Data § Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) § Open Source § Web 2. 0 and the Geo. Web § Cloud Computing § Mobile and Location-based Services § High Resolution Imagery § Mass Market Geomatics § “Big data” /data Integration Legal/Administrative Issues § Ethical Legal Practices § Confidentiality, Security, and Sensitive Information § Privacy § Intellectual Property § Copyright § Licensing § Data Sharing § Liability § Archiving and Preservation § Data Quality Key issues that impact spatial data infrastructures 9 9

Canadian water perspective Canadian water facts… Ø Canada has 25% of world’s wetlands Ø Water power meets about 62% of Canada’s electrical needs Ø 40% of Canada’s boundary with the United States is composed of water Ø Health problems related to water pollution in general are estimated to cost Canadians $300 million per year - 10

Key National Programs Water survey of Canada… Ø Under Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment Canada Ø National authority responsible for the collection, interpretation and dissemination of standardized hydrometric data Ø In partnership with provinces, territories and other agencies, WSC operates hydrometric network Ø Publish daily water level and flow for active stations 11

Products and Services 12

Key Interoperabilty initatives Canada/US Group on Earth Observations (GEO) – Great Lakes testbed Ø Response to 2008 Canada/US Geo workshop, leadership from Environment Canada, US Geological Survey Ø Focus areas: ice cover, water levels, groundwater and beaches Ø Key partners: EC, USGS, DFO, NOAA, UASCE, EPA, GLOS, GLC, IJC, OGC 13

Key Interoperabilty initatives Open Geospatial Consortium… Ø Canadian participation and leadership in several OGC interoperability activities Ø Co-lead of Groundwater IEs (NRCan/GSC) Ø Co-lead of Forecasting IE (Aquatic Informatics) Ø Co-lead of upcoming Climatology – Hydrology Information Sharing Pilot (Geo. Connections/NRCan) Ø Additional participation thru Geo. Connections/NRCan/Environment Canada, Cybera Ø Participation in standards development of Water. ML, Groundwater. ML 14

Key Interoperabilty initatives Groundwater information network… Ø Under Groundwater program, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada Ø Distributed: YK, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, USGS Ø Standards: WMS, WFS, SOS, Water. ML, GWML, Geo. Sci. ML Ø Multi-data: water well records, key aquifers, monitoring data 15

Questions? Brian Mc. Leod CGDI Standards and Architecture lead Geo. Connections division Mapping Information Branch Earth Science Sector Natural Resources Canada info@geoconnections. nrcan. gc. ca 16