Centre for Topographic Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Digital Topographic Data

About CTI	Product Information
Distribution	Acquisition
Miscellaneous

What products are offered by the Centre for Topographic Information in Sherbrooke?
What does the Centre for Topographic Information commit to do?

What are the accuracy criteria for NTDB data?
What are the differences between versions of the NTDB?
What are the characteristics of the NTDB?
What do the themes contain?
What is the National Topographic System?
At what scales are NTDB data available?
What is the coverage of a digital data set?
What operating systems are used?
What data-compression mode is used?
What delivery media is available?
What transfer format is used for data delivery?
What format does CTI provide for ArcInfo and what are its features?
What format does CTI provide for ArcView and what are its features?
What format does CTI provide for Autocad and what are its features?
What format does CTI provide for MapInfo and what are its features?
How are prices for digital topographic data determined?
Where can I find the index maps of Canada in raster and vector formats?
What is the necessary disk space to store the NTDB data sets for the entire Canada?
What is the necessary disk space to store the CanMatrix data sets for the entire Canada?
What is the necessary disk space to store the CanImage data sets at the scale 1:50,000 for the entire Canada?
In ArcMap 8.2.1, are geographic .shp documents from NTDB data NAD 27 files?
Where can I find the standards and specifications for digital products available from CTI?
How can I find the magnetic declination for a specific location?
How can I get the coordinates for the neatline of a data set in the NAD27 and NAD83 reference systems?
Where can I find more information about converting NTDB files with the National Transformation (NTV1 and NTV2)?

Can the digital topographic data be resold or distributed?
How can marketing licences for digital topographic data be used?
What different types of marketing licences are available?
Do holders of marketing licences have the right to issue marketing licences for CTI digital topographic data?
How can I obtain a marketing licence for digital topographic data?
Is qualification required to obtain a marketing licence?
Are there any fees for qualification testing?
For what length of time are marketing licences for digital topographic data valid?
Is there a fee for obtaining a marketing licence?
Can holders of marketing licences issue end-user licences?
How do royalties apply?
How are royalties calculated?
Are holders of marketing licences liable for interest charges if they are late in paying royalties?
How can I download files from the Internet?

Does a licence grant ownership of the data?
Are the data copyrighted?
What is the liability of the Government of Canada related to data use?
What rights come with an end-user licence?
What rights come with an unrestricted-use end-user licence?
Does an end-user licence have a term or time limit?
Does an unrestricted-use end-user licence have a term or time limit?
Can a licensed (restricted-use) end-user copy data for internal use?
What hardware restrictions are restricted-use end-users subject to?
Can a restricted-use end-user loan the data?
Does a restricted-use end-user have the right to transform or modify the digital data?
Does the restricted-use end-user licence give the right to sell or distribute the data?
Does a restricted-use end-user have the right to make paper copies from the digital files?

How can I find a city if I don't know the corresponding National Topographic System (NTS) number?
Where can I buy Topographic paper maps of Canada?
Where can I find the aerial photographs from the federal government's collection?
Where can I find the geographical limits of National Parks and Indian Reserves?
Where can I apply for a job in the Federal Government?

What products are offered by the Centre for Topographic Information in Sherbrooke?

• National Topographic Data Base (NTBD): digital topographic data at the 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 scales.
• Vector Map Level 0 (VMap0): spatially referenced database at the 1:1,000,000 scale that covers the entire planet (formerly the Digital Chart of the World).
• CanImage: raster product containing resampled Landsat 7 orthoimages based at the 1:50,000 scale.
• CanMatrix: raster data coming from scanned maps and photo-maps of Canada at the scales of 1:50,000 and 1:250,000.
• NTDB Correction Matrices (CORMAT): product derived from the planimetric enhancement of NTDB data sets at the 1:50 000 scale.
• Canada3D: digital elevation model (DEM) consisting of an ordered array of ground elevations
• IRS satellite data: reserved for federal government agencies and organizations as part of the federal government's Emergency Preparedness Program.

What does the Centre for Topographic Information commit to do?

The Centre for Topographic Information is committed to:

• Answer our clients during CTI business hours: from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (Eastern Time).
• Respond to inquiries within 2 working days. When applicable, follow up on request within the period agreed with the client.
• Insure the availability of our Web site 90% of the time on a monthly basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Send confirmation of FTP data delivery within 5 working days after confirmation of payment is received.
• Acknowledge reception of complaints within 2 working days.
• Analyse complaints and reply to clients in the shortest possible time.
• Respond to inquiries about data commercialization within 5 working days.
• Prepare and send out a subscription agreement or a commercialization licence within 10 working days after a request is received.
• Return a copy of the agreement document signed by both parties within 10 working days after the document and the client's payment (when applicable) are received.
• Open a user account following a subscription within 2 working days after payment of the subscription fees and the agreement signed by the client are received.
• Verify a commercialization licence-related royalty report within 10 working days after it is received.
• Comply with the service standards of the Earth Sciences Sector.

In what consist the types of accuracy required to qualify NTDB data?

Two types of accuracy are used for NTDB data: planimetric (X, Y) and altimetric (Z). They vary depending on the data source and the digitization means used to produce the NTDB data set. Data sources can be digital (stereodigitized topographic maps) or analog (paper topographic maps). In the first case, the digital data are processed and structured to produce an NTDB data set. In the second, the analog data are scanned and vectorized to produce digital vector data that are subsequently processed and structured to produce an NTDB data set.

Planimetric accuracy of the data sources should then fall into one of five categories.

• Stereodigitized NTDB data set at the 1:50,000 scale that has a resolution of 10 m for 90% of all data (generally covers urban areas) (around 400 files).
• Scanned NTDB data set at the 1:50,000 scale that has a resolution of 25 to 100 m for 90% of all data (generally covers suburban areas).
• Scanned NTDB data set at the 1:250,000 scale that has a resolution of 125 to 500 m for 90% of all data (complete coverage of the Canadian landmass).
• Unknown accuracy at the 1:50,000 scale: more than 100 m.
• Unknown accuracy at the 1:250,000 scale: more than 500 m.

Note: Presently we are applying a planimetric correction of NTDB data sets and/or are clipping adjacent data sets according to the NTDB-NAD83 limit definition for the NTS using a Landsat 7 orthoimage. This work should be done by March 2007. The Landsat7 orthoimage and the control points used in their orthorectification are available free of charge at the following address: www.GeoBase.ca.

Altimetric accuracy is characterized more generally:

• The altimetric accuracy of NTDB data at the 1:50,000 scale varies from 5 m (stereodigitized) to 20 m (scanned) for 90% of all data.
• The altimetric accuracy of NTDB data at the 1:250,000 scale varies from 25 m (stereodigitized) to 100 m (scanned) for 90% of all data.

What are the differences between versions of the NTDB?

There are many differences between the various versions of the NTDB (2.2, 2.2+, 2.3, 2.3+, 2.4, 3.0 A, 3.0 B, 3.0 C, and 3.1). NTDB Version 3 integrates toponymy and the road network (at the 1:50,000 scale) as well as the concept of themes. Entities are now grouped in categories, which makes data distribution more flexible. In addition, starting with Version 2.2+, areas have been represented by surficial entities instead of linear features.

Contours in NTDB Version 3 can be expressed in either metres or feet. Moreover, NTDB Version 3 contains a single data dictionary for both the 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 scales, whereas NTDB Version 2 used separate dictionaries for both scales.

What are the characteristics of the NTDB?

NTDB comprises thirteen themes:

What do the themes contain?

What is the National Topographic System?

The National Topographic System (NTS) is a system of divisions used primarily for topographic maps of the Canadian landmass. Maps at the 1:250,000 scale are identified by a combination of numbers and letters from A to P (e.g. 13C). A map at the 1:50,000 scale corresponds to 1/16 of a map at the 1:250,000 scale, with each unit number from 01 to 16. Adding the unit number to the 1:250,000 number produces a unique identifier (e.g. 13C09).

At what scales are NTDB data available?

NTDB data are available at the 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 scales.

What is the coverage of a digital data set?

A digital data set at the 1:50,000 scale covers about 1,100 kmē, or approximately 40 km (30 arc-minutes) by 28 km (15 arc-minutes). A digital data set at the 1:250,000 scale covers about 18,000 kmē, or approximately 160 km (2 degrees of arc) by 110 km (1 degrees of arc). A digital data set at the 1:250,000 scale covers the same area as 16 digital data sets at the 1:50,000 scale.

What operating systems are used?

• UNIX
• DOS, Windows, Windows NT

What data-compression mode is used?

• WINZIP (Classic version 8.0 or better).

What delivery media is available?

• Electronic transfer via FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

What transfer formats are used for data delivery?

• DXF (Drawing Exportation File)
• MID/MIF (MapInfo)
• Shape (ArcView)
• Arc Export (ArcInfo)

What format does CTI provide for ArcInfo and what are its features?

CTI currently offers the Arc Export format for ArcInfo, which has the following characteristics:

• Elevation (Z) in attributes
• Attributes

Note: Lookup table not available.

What format does CTI provide for ArcView and what are its features?

CTI currently offers the Shape format for ArcView, which has the following characteristics:

• Elevation (Z) in geometry and in attributes
• Attributes

Note: Lookup table not available.

What format does CTI provide for Autocad and what are its features?

CTI currently offers the DXF format for AutoCAD, which has the following characteristics:

• Elevation (Z) in geometry and attributes
• No attributes (encoded in the layer name)
• No symbology

Note: Lookup table not available.

What format does CTI provide for MapInfo and what are its features?

CTI currently offers the MID/MIF (MapInfo Interchange Data / MapInfo Interchange Format) for MapInfo. MID/MIF is an ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) format for importing graphic and attribute (non-graphic) data into MapInfo. It has the following characteristics:

• Elevation (Z) as an attribute
• Attributes
• Limited symbology

How are prices for digital topographic data determined?

The price of NTDB data (except for the RR, CH and TO themes, which are free) is based on the quantity of digital topographic vector data contained in the files delivered by CTI. The price is established by counting the number of kilometres of lines and the number of points delivered.

The NTDB RR, CH and TO themes are distributed at no cost except for the minimum service fees of $25.

The set of four VMap0 CD-ROMs sells for $200. This product is also available at the following address: www.mapability.com.

CanImage is only available at the scale of 1:50,000 for $25.

CanMatrix is available at the scale of 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 for $15.

Note: Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Where can I find the index maps of Canada in raster and vector formats?

You can download these products on our Web site. Look for Products/Digital Topographic Data/NTS Index Maps.

What is the necessary disk space to store the NTDB data sets for the entire Canada?

Approximately 100 Gig of disk space at the scales 1:50,000 in Shape format not compressed.

Approximately 17 Gig of disk space at the scales 1:250,000 in Shape format not compressed.

For example, here are the sizes of the file 021E05 according to formats:
Shape not compressed = 15 Mb
Mid/Mif not compressed = 8.5 Mb
E00 not compressed = 27 Mb
Oracle Data Base= 38Mb

What is the necessary disk space to store the CanMatrix data sets for the entire Canada?

Approximately 700 Gig of disk space at the scales 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 in Geotiff format not compressed. Size of the file 021E05 in GeoTiff format = 30Mb.

What is the necessary disk space to store the CanImage data sets at the scale 1:50,000 for the entire Canada?

Approximately 180 Gig of disk space in GeoTiff format not compressed. Size of the file 021E05 = 15Mb.

In ArcMap 8.2.1, are geographic .shp documents from NTDB data NAD 27 files?

No, all DTD are NAD 83 files. When data displayed with ArcGIS 8.2.1 indicates it uses a NAD 27 file, there is two ways to properly show the good reference system:

1. For all .shp files :

• View
• Data Frame Properties
• Coordinate system
• Modify : D_North_American_1983_CSRS98

2. As regards the layers project :

• Show all files
• Right click:
   - Layers
   - Select "Properties"
   - Switch for NAD 83
• Save the project (.mxd)

Where can I find the standards and specifications for digital products available from CTI?

The standards and specifications for digital products available from the Centre for Topographic Information in Sherbrooke are available on our Web site under the Products section.

How can I find the magnetic declination for a specific location?

You can look up the magnetic declination for a specific location at the Web site for Natural Resources Canada's National Geomagnetism Program at www.geolab.NRCan.gc.ca(Data and Services section).

How can I get the coordinates for the neatline of a data set in the NAD27 and NAD83 reference systems?

You can look up the coordinates for data-set neatlines based on NAD27 or NAD83 at the Web site of the Centre for Topographic Information in Sherbrooke at ftp://FTP.CITS.RNCan.gc.ca/pub/datum.

Where can I find more information about converting NTDB files with the National Transformation (NTV1 and NTV2)?

The National Transformation provides the means to convert from the NAD27 reference system to the NAD83 reference system. Converting data from NAD27 to NAD83 involves the use of tables containing the coordinate differences between NAD27 and NAD83. You can find this information on our Web site by looking for the "NTDB" option under the Products tab in the side menu under "Standards".

You will find a software for converting coordinates at the following address: www.geod.nrcan.gc.ca/apps/index_e.php

Can the digital topographic data be resold or distributed?

You must have a marketing licence to distribute digital topographic data (DTD) (subject to the restrictive-use end-user licence) or digital products derived from these data. This marketing licence defines the conditions and requirements applicable to marketing the data, including the royalties that apply to each data set.

Different licences are available depending on the format (raster or vector) of the final product to be marketed.

Refer to internet site for more details on licences:

• Raster or vector product:
  http://www.cits.rncan.gc.ca/cit/servlet/CIT/site_id=01&page_id=1-007-001-003-003.html
• Non-digital or analog products:
  http://maps.nrcan.gc.ca/permission/index_e.php

How can marketing licences digital topographic data be used?

Marketing licences for digital topographic data are non-exclusive and allow the licensee to use, reproduce, and modify the corresponding digital topographic data products. In addition, they give the licensee the right to grant end-user licences for their licensed or integrated products and to use a network of distributors to market their products to end-users.

What different types of marketing licences are available?

• Licence for the distribution of digital topographic vector data:
  This licence entitles the holder to market unprotected digital topographic vector products, i.e., products that can be modified by the end-user.
• Licence for the distribution of protected digital topographic vector data:
  This licence entitles the holder to market unprotected digital topographic vector products, i.e., products that can be modified by the end-user and are accessible solely in read-only mode.
• Licence for the distribution of raster digital topographic data:
  This licence entitles the holder to market unprotected and protected raster digital topographic products.
• Licence for the distribution of subscriptions to digital topographic data:
  This licence entitles the holder to market subscriptions to licenced or integrated products.

Do holders of marketing licences have the right to issue marketing licences for CTI digital topographic data?

Some licences entitle the holder to grant to an integrator the right to produce and market integrated products derived from their licensed product. All licences (except the licence for subscriptions) entitle their holders to distribute their licensed products through a network of distributors, who may promote the products and issue end-user licences on behalf of the licensees.

How can I obtain a marketing licence for digital topographic data?

You must contact the User Support Team directly or by e-mail. On our Web site, just look for the Business / Distribution / How to become a distributor.

In order to obtain a marketing licence for digital topographic data, the applicant must first hold an end-user licence or a subscription agreement issued by CTI for the digital topographic data sets that he wishes to use in producing and marketing its licensed products.

Is qualification required to obtain a marketing licence?

No qualification is required to obtain a marketing licence.

For what length of time are marketing licences for digital topographic data valid?

Marketing licences for digital topographic data (vector, raster, and for subscriptions) are valid for two years, with a possible one-year extension.

Is there a fee for obtaining a marketing licence?

A nonrefundable deposit of royalties is required upon signature of the licence. This amount, deposited in a separate account in the holder's name, is used to pay future royalties.

A $3,000 deposit is required for a licence for digital topographic vector data; other licences require a $1,000 deposit.

Can holders of marketing licences issue end-user licences?

Yes, but in return for royalties and with the permission of the copyright owner.

How do royalties apply?

In the case of all licences, the rate of royalties depends on the cumulative amount paid in royalties or the number of units of a product granted to end-users. On our Web site, just look for Business / Distribution / How to become a distributor / Royalties.

How are royalties calculated?

• In the case of licences for digital topographic vector data (protected and unprotected), the royalties are calculated based on the number of entity occurrences (km of lines and number of points) represented in the products granted to end-users by the licence holder. Royalties are lower on protected products.
• In the case of the licence for raster digital topographic data, the royalties are calculated based on a percentage of the product price paid by the end-user or a distributor for the licence holder.
• In the case of the licence for subscriptions, the royalties are calculated based on a percentage of the fees charged to the subscriber.

Are holders of marketing licences liable for interest charges if they are late in paying royalties?

All late payments of royalties for marketing licences are subject to interest charges equal to the bank rate of the Bank of Canada plus 3%. The licence holders are allowed 30 days past each six-month period for the payment of royalties.

How Can I download files from the Internet?

There are three ways to download files:

1- By clicking on the email address provided to the user.

2- By connecting on the CTI's FTP site.

3- By connecting on the CTI's Web site.

1- The ordered files are available on the FTP site inside a folder. A link to that address is given in the email. The user only has to click on the address, if this method does not work, try the following:

2- With an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) tool, access the FTP site: ftp://ctis.nrcan.gc.ca

- Use the username "anonymous".

- Use your email address as a password.

- Access the indicated folder whose name is given in the e-mail sent to the user.

- Copy the files on appropriate folder.

An alternative to the conventional way for users who experience problems with the CTI's FTP site:

3- With an Internet browser (ex: Netscape, MsExplorer)

On the "Location" line or the equivalent, take good care to ENTIRELY TYPE the following entry (complete link to the address):

http://www.ctis.nrcan.gc.ca/ftp/dataAccess/aaaaa/

aaaa = Order#_Timestamp

Does a licence grant ownership of the data?

No, a licence is not a sale; acquiring a licence does not confer ownership of the data. The licensee owns the physical medium but not its contents (the data). The contents remain the property of the producing organization, which, in the case of the Centre for Topographic Information, is Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, under the administration of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada.

Are the data copyrighted?

The end-user licensees must adhere to the provisions of the Copyright Act of Canada under which the data subject to the restricted-use end-user licence are protected.

What is the liability of the Government of Canada related to data use?

The Government of Canada shall have no liability for any damage caused by the use of the data. Neither shall the Government have any liability for the use made of the data.

What rights come with an end-user licence?

An end-user licence allows the licensee to use NRCan's digital topographic vector and raster data for his own use; it does not authorize the end-user to market products based on the data.

What rights come with an unrestricted-use end-user licence?

An unrestricted-use end-user licence allows the licensee to use, incorporate, grant end-user licences to, modify, improve, develop and distribute the data. He must however identify the source of the data on his derived products.

Does an end-user licence have a term or time limit?

No, it is perpetual.

Does an unrestricted-use end-user licence have a term or time limit?

The unrestricted-use end-user licence is granted for an initial one-year period and is automatically renewed for successive one-year terms.

Can a licensed (restricted-use) end-user copy data for internal use?

The data can be copied for use within the same organization (company, agency or department). However, two or more organizations working on a joint project cannot benefit from this right for multiple copies; each organization involved must obtain its own end-user licence.

What hardware limitations are restricted-use end-users subject to?

The end-user may use the data on a personal computer, on systems, multiple central processing units, computer networks, or emulations running on mainframes or minicomputers, provided that the use is restricted to the same organization.

Can a restricted-use end-user loan the data?

End-users may loan the data to a third party working under contract with them for the purposes of modifying the data on their behalf. The third party must return all copies of the data to the end-user when the contract work has been finished.

Companies, consultants, or others who purchase data for one of their customers must so declare at the time of the purchase. The restricted-use end-user licence belongs to the intermediary's customer. Since the firm is acting as intermediary in the transaction, it has no right to use the data.

Does a restricted-use end-user have the right to transform or modify the digital data?

Yes. While there are no restrictions on personal use of the data, they may be transformed for internal use only and not for the purposes of distribution, whether commercially or otherwise.

Does the restricted-use end-user licence give the right to sell or distribute the data?

No. Licensees may, however, apply for a marketing licence if they are interested in distributing digital topographic products derived from NRCan's data. On our Web site, just look for Business / Distribution / How to become a distributor.

Do customers have the right to make paper copies from the digital files?

Before making paper copies from digital files otherwise than as provided for by the end-user licence, clients must receive written permission from CTI-Ottawa.

Refer to the following internet site for more details:
http://maps.rncan.gc.ca/permission/index_e.php

How can I find a city if I don't know the corresponding National Topographic System (NTS) number?

You can look up the town's name at the Web site for Natural Resources Canada's Official Geographical Names at GeoNames.NRCan.gc.ca.

Where can I buy Topographic paper maps of Canada?

You will find the list of Regional Distribution Centre at the following address: maps.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php (Map Distributors Section). Or consult the Yellow Pages under "MAPS" at the following address: www.yellowpages.ca.

Where can I find the aerial photographs from the federal government's collection?

You will find these aerial photographs at the following address: airphotos.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php or telephone at 1(800) 230-6275.

Where can I find the geographical limits of National Parks and Indian Reserves?

They may be found at the Geogratis website at the following address: geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/download/frameworkdata just look for /Cda_Lands_Adm_L1.

Where can I apply for a job in the Federal Government?

You have to fill up a form from Public Service Commission of Canada at the following address: www.jobs.gc.ca.