The Canadian GeoSpatial Data Infrastructure a water perspective Brian McLeod March 20,

2 Outline  Context  GeoConnections & Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure  GeoConnections – a brief history  GeoConnections III – objectives  Water perspective – key programs and interoperabilty activities

3 Information and data are global currency…  24/7 digital economy paved the way for even more competition; social and environmental issues more complex, global in nature  increasingly technology and sophisticated 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  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

4 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

5 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:  is the convergence of partnerships, policies, standards, technologies, and framework data necessary to harmonize all of Canada’s location-based information  is an on-line resource that improves the sharing, access and use of geospatial information GeoConnections and the CGDI 5 GeoConnections has played a key role by building the CGDI… …and is recognized internationally for its pioneering efforts over the last decade

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

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

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

9 Technology as a driver for policies and standards Key issues that impact spatial data infrastructures Legal/Administrative Issues  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  Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)  Open Source  Web 2.0 and the GeoWeb  Cloud Computing  Mobile and Location-based Services  High Resolution Imagery  Mass Market Geomatics  “Big data” /data Integration 9 Technology and trends driving standards and policy development

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

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

12 Products and Services

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

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

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

16 Questions? Brian McLeod CGDI Standards and Architecture lead GeoConnections division Mapping Information Branch Earth Science Sector Natural Resources Canada