The Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), in partnership with the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG)
April 25, 2025
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Neither Natural Resources Canada nor any of its employees makes any express or implied warranty or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the contents of this report. Reference in the report to any specific commercial product, process, service or organization does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation or favouring by Natural Resources Canada. The views and opinions of round table participants expressed in this report do not necessarily state or reflect those of Natural Resources Canada.
This document was prepared or accomplished by TDV Global in their personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this summary do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Natural Resources Canada.
Table of Contents
Executive summary
Objective
The Round Table on Public Safety and Infrastructure sought to gather views from different sectors on the priorities, challenges and opportunities associated with using geospatial data for infrastructure resilience and emergency response. Part of a collaborative initiative co-led by the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) and the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG) to seek views from partners and stakeholders on how to modernize and strengthen Canada’s Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), the purpose of this exercise was to better understand the Canadian geospatial data ecosystem, and to guide the development of a collaborative geospatial strategy tailored to the country’s needs.
Key insights
Round table participants identified the following strengths, areas for improvement, and recommendations:
Theme: Enhancing collaboration and capacity
- The creation of a one-stop data shop and national standardization are needed to improve access to critical information.
- Better collaboration between provinces, territories and the federal government is essential to harmonize mapping projects and reduce fragmentation.
- The revival of geomatics training programs and the introduction of national certifications will strengthen the sector’s capacity.
- Clarifying the responsibilities of data producers, aggregators and users is crucial to better meet information needs.
Theme: Harnessing data and technology
- We need to improve access to high-precision data to better support planning and risk management.
- Critical data must be backed up locally to reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure.
- Clarifying concepts such as “critical infrastructure” is essential for coherent crisis management.
- The adoption of AI tools, remote sensing and interoperable platforms is essential to better anticipate and respond to challenges.
Proposed actions
- Identify critical infrastructure at the national level.
- Strengthen federal-provincial and territorial collaboration on high-value data.
- Actively support training and professional certification.
- Create a one-stop shop for data access.
- Back up critical data on national servers.
Conclusion
Participants in the Round Table on Public Safety and Infrastructure revealed the scale of the challenges, but also the potential for collaboration around geospatial data for infrastructure resilience and the protection of Canadians. They identified a clear need for action, particularly in the areas of standardization, training and data sovereignty. The will to act collectively was clear.
For more information, see: Let's Talk Natural Resources.
Acknowledgements
This report would not have been possible without the contributions of individuals and organizations who took the time to participate in the round table. We extend our gratitude to the participants from industry, academia, Indigenous organizations, NGOs, and federal, provincial, and municipal governments for their valuable insights into Canada's geospatial infrastructure.
Introduction
CCMEO and CCOG are using the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) global best practices model as a framework for assessing the current state, and for planning future of, the Canadian geospatial data ecosystem—the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). The CGDI is the set of geospatial data, standards, policies, applications and governance mechanisms that facilitate its access, use, integration and preservation in Canada.
Phase 1 entailed a stock-take exercise using three data collection methods: 1) individual/small-group interviews with geospatial data producers and users from provincial, territorial and federal governments; 2) a written inventory/survey to gather more detailed information from the organizations interviewed; 3) a research-based desk study conducted by an independent third party.
Phase 2 shifted from assessing the CGDI to gathering diverse perspectives to help guide the modernization and evolution of spatial data management and use in Canada. Through a roundtable approach, partners and stakeholders were given the opportunity to help shape Canada’s geospatial future so that it is more responsive, innovative and effective for all Canadians. The results of the roundtables will be reviewed by the CCOG to inform the development of a collaborative geospatial strategy.
This Round Table on Public Safety and Infrastructure was held virtually on March 14, 2025. The purpose was to gather views from participants from different sectors on the priorities, challenges and opportunities associated with using geospatial data for infrastructure resilience and emergency response.
Results
Theme: Empowering collaboration and capacity
Issues discussed
- Limited data access: Difficulty in accessing essential data on the built environment, building characteristics, vulnerability and hazards.
- Intergovernmental fragmentation: Fragmentation of data between provinces/territories and lack of uniformity.
- Training in decline: Suspension of GIS training programs.
- Lack of professional recognition: Lack of recognized professional certifications.
- Inadequate coordination: Lack of intergovernmental coordination.
Proposed solutions
- One-stop shop for data: Creation of a single access point for data (inspired by Données Québec).
- National data standardization: Standardization of data at the national level.
- Collaborative mapping: Improved coordination between provinces, territories and the federal government for mapping projects (e.g., flood zones).
- Revival of training: Support for the revival of geomatics training programs.
- Certification of professionals: Implementation of professional certification standards.
Voice of participants
- Academia participant: “[Translation] We need to know who does what and how, to improve the product and make data available that will serve different needs.”
Theme: Harnessing data and technology
Issues discussed
- High-precision data: Limited access to high-precision data (e.g., riverbeds, lidar surveys).
- Low-resolution models: Use of low-resolution models (10–30 metres) by insurers vs. need for medium-resolution models.
- Foreign data: Dependence on foreign data (e.g., American cloud, non-Canadian satellites).
- Missing definitions: Lack of shared definitions for “critical infrastructure.”
Proposed solutions
- Coherent national models: Develop coherent national models for hazard and infrastructure planning.
- Critical data: Back up critical data locally in the event of loss of international access.
- Clarification of definitions: Clarify definitions of “critical infrastructure” depending on the context (emergency, war, etc.).
- Adoption of modern tools: Continue to deploy AI tools, remote sensing and interoperable platforms.
Voice of participants
- Private sector participant: “This is the difference between modelling river sections or modelling something consistent across the country.”
- Government participant: “We could lose a lot of the data that we use every day.”
Cross-cutting themes
Sovereignty and access to data
- Data hosted abroad: Growing concern over access to data hosted abroad.
- Indigenous data: Need to protect the sovereignty of Indigenous data.
Training and professional recognition
- National certifications: Urgent need for national certifications.
- Foreign standards: Dependence on American standards (e.g., GISP® certification).
- Revival of training: Importance of reviving and funding geomatics programs.
Interoperability and standards
- Inter-jurisdictional standardization: Importance of standardizing formats, standards and tools between provinces and institutions.
Next steps
Proposed actions
- Identify critical infrastructure at the national level.
- Strengthen federal-provincial and territorial collaboration on high-value data.
- Actively support training and professional certification.
- Create a one-stop shop for data access.
- Backup critical data on national servers.
Open questions
- How do you define critical infrastructure in Canada?
- What governance is needed to protect access to sensitive data?
- Who is responsible for standardizing data?
Conclusion
Participants in the Round Table on Public Safety and Infrastructure revealed the scale of the challenges, but also the potential for collaboration around geospatial data for infrastructure resilience and the protection of Canadians. They identified a clear need for action, particularly in the areas of standardization, training and data sovereignty. The will to act collectively was clear.
For updates on this commitment, see: Let's Talk Natural Resources.