Consultation on the Canadian Geospatial Data Strategy

Status : Open

This consultation is open from February 7, 2025 to April 30, 2025 (EST).

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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.

Now, we are looking ahead. By the end of 2025, we hope that with your help, we can identify opportunities and priorities as the foundation for a national collaborative geospatial data strategy that will help Canada to continue to making the most of our strong geospatial foundation for the benefit of Canadians.

Who we are consulting

If you work with geospatial data, we invite you to consider participating in this consultation, see below for How to participate below. Organizations that may be interested include:

  • industry
  • academia
  • non-governmental organizations
  • indigenous organizations
  • government (Federal, Provincial/Territorial, Municipal)
  • interested Canadians
  • others

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

How to participate

We want to hear from you!

Visit our engagement platform to complete a short questionnaire (10-15 minutes), share your stories or respond to discussion topics on Canada’s geospatial data future.

Virtual round tables are also scheduled to take place February 25-March 21, 2025 to enable more in-depth discussions on specific topics related to Canada’s geospatial ecosystem. You can register below to be considered for one of the upcoming thematic roundtables.

Events and information sessions

CCMEO and the CCOG are co-hosting a series of virtual round tables to facilitate in-depth discussions on key thematic areas on the future of spatial data infrastructure. Sessions will be available in English and French, with a maximum of 30 participants per session to allow for meaningful dialogue.

These round tables are open to individuals and organizations engaged in Canada’s geospatial sector, including:

  • industry and private sector
  • academia and researchers
  • non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • indigenous governments, organizations and representatives
  • municipal and local governments
  • interested Canadians

These virtual round tables are aimed at shaping the future of Canada’s geospatial ecosystem. They will be co-hosted by the Canadian Council on Geomatics members and will gather 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).

Virtual thematic roundtables

Group one: United Nations Strategic Pathways for effective geospatial information management

Governance Strategic Pathways (includes Governance and Institutions, Legal and Policy, Financial)

  • English: February 25, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Julie McKay (Manager, Land Information Infrastructure Secretariat, Service New Brunswick)
    • Nancy Liesch (Senior Executive Director, GEOBC, Province of British-Columbia)
    • Eric Loubier (Director General, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada)

Technology Strategic Pathways (includes Data, Innovation, Standards)

  • English: March 19, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Eiad El-Fateh (Director of Data and Analytics, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada)
    • Colin MacDonald (Director, Geographic Information Services, Internal Services, Province of Nova Scotia)
    • Joost van Ulden (Acting Deputy Director, GeoDiscovery Division, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada)

People Strategic Pathways (includes Partnerships, Capacity and Education, Communication and Engagement)

  • English: March 10, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Erin Mansell (Strategic Insights & GIS Manager, Modernization, IMT & Research, Strategy, Support and Integrated Initiatives (SSII) Division, Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services)
    • Alexandre Beaulieu (Senior Director, GeoBase Division, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada)
    • Sumit Gera (Senior Director, Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure Division, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada)

Governance, Technology and People Strategic Pathways

  • French: March 20, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Alexandre Beaulieu (Senior Director, GeoBase Division, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada)
    • Mélanie Desjardins (Director, Northwest Territories Centre for Geomatics)

Group Two: Thematic Round Tables

Public Safety (includes disasters, climate resilience, emergency management, security/defence)

  • English: March 6, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Erin Mansell (Strategic Insights & GIS Manager, Modernization, IMT & Research, Strategy, Support and Integrated Initiatives (SSII) Division, Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services)
    • Mai Gagujas (Assistant Director, Corporate and Business Development Branch, Manitoba Emergency Management Organization) Mike Ballard (Geospatial Engineering Specialist, Emergency Management and Programs Branch, Public Safety Canada)

Indigenous perspectives on Governance, Technology, and People Strategic Pathways

  • English: March 17, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Rob Houle (Student-at-Law, Alberta Counsel)
    • Matthew Maloley (Manager, Geomatics Services Team, Indigenous Services Canada)
    • Jina MacEachern (Director, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing Operations, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada)

Infrastructure, housing, transportation, planning and development

  • English: March 21, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Eiad El-Fateh (Director of Data and Analytics, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada)
    • Eric Godin (Section Head GEOINT—Policies and Partnerships, Directorate General of Intelligence Policy and Partnerships, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Canadian Armed Forces)

Public Safety and Infrastructure

  • French: March 14, 2025 from 13:00 to 14:30 (ET)

    • Co hosts:

    • Eric Godin (Section Head GEOINT—Policies and Partnerships, Directorate General of Intelligence Policy and Partnerships, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Canadian Armed Forces)
    • Jean-Samuel Proulx-Bourque (Project Officer, GeoBase Division, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada)

What we heard

Documents to be shared when available.

Background materials

Contact us

If you have questions regarding this consultation or require further assistance, please contact us at ccog-cocg@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

 
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