The Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) participates in the environmental, social, and economic priorities of Canada by focusing its research and development programs on innovative projects whose objectives are to improve the quality of life of Canadians. The generation and dissemination of new knowledge to contribute to the well being of Canadian citizens is at the forefront of all ESS activities.

The Speech from the Throne highlighted the federal government's approach to issues that concern Canadians. Learn how the Earth Sciences Sector and its partners are responding to these concerns, through research and development in the areas of groundwater mapping, sustainable development of natural resources, research on natural hazards, and more ...

A clean environment

• Groundwater
• Reducing Canada's vulnerability to climate change
• Metals in the environment
• Legislated environmental and resource assessments

Strong and safe communities

• Natural hazards and emergency response
• Aeronautical charting
• Canada/United States international boundary maintenance and 1925 Treaty implementation

Sustainable development of natural resources

• Consolidating Canada's geoscience knowledge
• Geoscience for oceans management
• Sustainable development through knowledge integration
• Geomatics for sustainable development of natural resources
• Gas hydrates - Fuel of the future?
• Targeted Geoscience Initiative

Development of the North

• Northern resources development
• Geomatics for northern development

Connecting Canadians

• Geomatics for connecting Canadians

Aboriginal peoples

• Geomatics for aboriginal property rights infrastructure

Trade and investment/Creating and sharing opportunities globally

• Global opportunities program

Knowledge-based services

• Earth observation data services
• Canadian Geodetic Service
• Canada Lands Survey System
• National Earthquake Monitoring System
• Geomagnetic Monitoring Service
• Nuclear Test Ban Monitoring System

National initiatives

• Climate change impacts and adaptation
• GeoConnections
• Polar Continental Shelf Project (PCSP)

Information about Earth Sciences Sector issues and related programs is adapted from the Earth Sciences Sector Business Plan:

• 2002-2005 [PDF, 927.6 kb, viewer]
• 2004 update and progress report [PDF, 5.1 Mb, viewer]

Successes in Science and Technology - Earth Sciences Sector Annual Review 2004-2005 (PDF version [PDF, 1.3 Mb, viewer])