Status : Closed
This consultation ran from February 7, 2025 to March 23, 2025 (EST). The round table reports are included in What We Heard below. The Collaborative Geospatial Strategy for Canada is now available.
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About this consultation
Over the past several decades, the volume and complexity of location, or ‘geospatial’, data has been increasing. This reality, coupled with rapid technological transformation and a better understanding of how data can be used, presents new opportunities and challenges.
In this context, it is important to bring together diverse perspectives on the realities of Canada's geospatial sector to provide a 360o review of where we are currently, and where we need to go.
In 2024, Natural Resources Canada took stock of Canada’s geospatial infrastructure to:
- better understand what geospatial resources are available in Canada and how they are being used
- identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps
- explore emerging trends that may shape the future of this sector
If you are interested in learning more about the results of this stock-take, we invite you to explore the reports included in What We Heard below.
During winter 2025, Natural Resources Canada organized 8 round tables aimed at shaping the future of Canada’s geospatial ecosystem. They were co-hosted by the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG) members and gathered diverse perspectives from across the geospatial community to explore current challenges, opportunities, and innovations that will influence the evolution of Canada’s Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI).
Who we consulted
We consulted with many people and organizations that work with geospatial data, including:
- industry
- academia
- non-governmental organizations
- indigenous organizations
- government (Federal, Provincial/Territorial, Municipal)
- interested Canadians
Focus areas
- Trends in geospatial and location data
- Current use and experiences with geospatial data, including societal benefits
- Projection into the future of geospatial data uses across the economy
- Private, academic, Indigenous, and non-governmental aspirations and needs regarding geospatial data
What we heard – Virtual round tables
- Governance Strategic Pathways (includes Governance and Institutions, Legal and Policy, Financial) - English session
- Technology Strategic Pathways (includes Data, Innovation, Standards) - English session
- People Strategic Pathways (includes Partnerships, Capacity and Education, Communication and Engagement) - English session
- Public Safety (includes disasters, climate resilience, emergency management, security/defence) - English session
- Indigenous perspectives on Governance, Technology, and People Strategic Pathways - English session
- Infrastructure, housing, transportation, planning and development - English session
- Governance Technology and People Strategic Pathways - French session
- Public Safety and Infrastructure - French session
What we heard – Summary Report of the on-line survey
In addition to the round tables, the consultation process included an on-line survey. The online questionnaire consultation received 37 submissions. Participants represented a diverse range of sectors, including private companies, public bodies, industry associations, NGOs, academic institutions, and Indigenous organizations. Respondents were geographically dispersed across Canada, with a notable representation from Ontario.
The results of the survey will be available soon. This report summarizes the responses provided by these respondents via the online tools in the engagement platform.
Background materials
- The United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF)
- The Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG)
- Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO)
- Stock Take of the current state of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI):
- Trends in geospatial technologies and strategies relevant to the CGDI (PDF, 768 KB)
- Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure Stocktaking Desk Study (PDF, 730 KB)
- What We Heard: Findings from Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Qualitative Interviews on the Current State of Canada’s Spatial Data Infrastructure (PDF, 412 KB)
- CGDI Stock-Take Baseline Summary Report
Contact us
If you have questions regarding this consultation, please contact us at ccog-cocg@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca