1. The Canadian GeoSpatial Data Infrastructure a water perspective Brian McLeod March 20, 2012 www.rncan.gc.ca

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

3. 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. 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. 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. 6 GeoConnections: a decade of progress Three phases of GeoConnections:  1999-2004: Establish and build the CGDI –The supply side (framework data – e.g. National Hydro Network, National Road Network; core SDI services)  2005-2009: Evolve and expand the CGDI for end-users –The demand side (priority communities: public health, public safety/security, environment and aboriginal communities)  2010-2015: Strategic and operational policy, standards, outreach, and CGDI integration 6 GeoConnections III: In a word, “INTEROPERABILITY” GeoConnections – a brief history…

7. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 12 Products and Services

13. 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. 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. 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. 16 Questions? Brian McLeod CGDI Standards and Architecture lead GeoConnections division Mapping Information Branch Earth Science Sector Natural Resources Canada info@geoconnections.nrcan.gc.ca