1. 6th MSDI Working Group Meeting
The Canadian Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)
Kian Fadaie, CHS
6th MSDI Working Group Meeting
MSDI Open Forums
March 3rd 2015

2. Presentation Outline SDI Objectives What is SDI/CGDI Challenges
GoC initiatives FGP/Open data
Conclusions

3. SDI : Objectives
Create increased awareness of the benefits of using geospatial data and tools to achieve goals for social, economic and environmental priorities.
Facilitate the integration and use of geospatial data to support effective decision making.
Coordinate the development of national policies, standards and mechanisms and support their implementation to ensure maintenance and updating of geospatial data and compatibility with global standards.
Keep Canada at the leading edge of accessing, sharing and using geospatial information via the Internet.

4. What is the CGDI? CGDI Components and Guiding Principles
CGDI – Overview; CGDI Vision, Mission and Roadmap:

5. Framework Data
is the common, up-to-date, and maintained base layers of quality location-based data for all of Canada.
is the base mapping layers required to develop applications that are freely available for use.
is the foundation upon which location-based information becomes spatially relevant to users.
Access through the GeoBase portal (

6. Geospatial Standards
The CGDI is built upon international standards that allow it to work with other infrastructures in Canada and around the world.
This harmonization of standards is fundamental to ensuring the efficient exchange of location- based information.

7. Technologies
Today’s innovative geospatial and IT tools and technologies (GPS, mobile tech, imagery, sensor webs) provide an environment in which systems and applications integrating location-based information are used by millions.
The CGDI’s open and flexible architecture continually adapts to the rapidly evolving internet platform.
Interoperability is achieved by the convergence of framework data, policies, standards and technologies necessary to harmonize Canada’s location-based information.

8. Operational Policies
Address topics related to the lifecycle of data (i.e. collection, management, dissemination, use).
Apply to the day-to-day business of organizations.
Include guidelines, directives, procedures and manuals that help facilitate access to and use of information. 14

9. Information and data are global currency…
24/7 digital economy paved the way for even more competition; social and environmental issues are more complex, global in nature
Technology and sophisticated geospatial analytical techniques are increasing the value of data and information
Open data will underpin new waves of productivity and generate significant financial value and societal benefits
Transparency and access to geospatial data through tools that enable easy discovery, sharing, downloading, integration and interoperability is expected
…and geospatial data can underpin it all.

10. SDI Performance
Interoperability requires supportive technical and business policies
Reduces focus on accessing information and data, increases capacity to USE information and data
Serves sophisticated users.
Web based services.
EXAMPLE: Volunteered Geographic Information

11. How do we identify and develop geospatial policy:
Geospatial data sharing and use.
Conducting needs/requirements analysis through consultation with stakeholders, users.
Working with stakeholders to develop operational policies, tools and resources necessary to complete and sustain the CGDI.
Promoting and raising awareness of geospatial policy issues, solutions and practices.

12. Issues and Needs Capacity Quality Issues Legal Issues Access Issues
Liability
Legal Issues
Quality IP
Sharing
Integration
Privacy
Archiving
Licensing
Access Issues
Access
Security

13. Identified Trends
Key policy topics that impact spatial data infrastructures
Legal/Administrative
Ethical Legal Practices
Confidentiality, Security, and Sensitive Information
Privacy
Intellectual Property (Copyright, Licensing)
Data Sharing
Liability
Archiving and Preservation
Data Quality
Technological/Trends
Open Data
Open Source
Web 2.0 and the GeoWeb
Cloud Computing
Mobile and Location-based Services
Data Integration

14. Open Government Action Plan
Government of Canada Major Initiatives
Government of Canada
Open Government Action Plan
Rapid shift in the public sector to free and open data.
Meeting public demand.
Changing operational policies.
Open Data

15. The Federal Geospatial Platform (FGP)
Is a collaborative effort across 21 departments and agencies to fundamentally change the way we share, use & manage geospatial assets to support effective program delivery & service to Canadians.
Enable the Public Service to buy once, use many times, and search once, find what you need - pulling separate data sources together that when combined are greater than the parts.

16. FGP provides the ability to integrate, and visualize multiple layers of Triple “A” geospatial information
Accurate Authoritative Accessible
“data and integrated analysis for which you search once and find everything”
…to support decision-making within and across departments, and among stakeholders, and stimulate downstream applications development 8

17. FGP Components
Business Architecture Alignment of cross departmental business requirements , processes (eg. Policies), and principles (eg. Standards) as they relate to management and dissemination of spatial data through the FGP.
Data Architecture Prioritises data sets, inventories data models, and defines data requirements for the platform.
Technical Architecture Describes and documents platform application requirements, interoperability, and associated technology implications (eg. Data visualization, catalogue, repository, web services, analysis).
Infrastructure Architecture Identifies enterprise hardware requirements to meet the needs identified and supplies a cloud based collaborative development environment.

18. FGP the way forward
21 Canadian Federal Department are contributing data or providing access to databases to FGP.
Data inventory is increasing continuously.
Data analysis capabilities are being enhanced
DRAFT

19. Conclusions
Canada has an operational SDI which is being used to support organizational operations and decision-making.
Emphasis has now shifted to addressing some of the key challenges to the use of the CGDI and geospatial information more generally, and the impacts of emerging technologies, through the development of operational policies. 54

20. THANK YOU! / MERCI!
QUESTIONS?