The Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) is one of five sectors within Natural Resources Canada. It is the Government of Canada's principal Earth sciences agency, providing Canadians with timely and reliable geomatics and geoscience knowledge. ESS supports the environmental, social, and economic priorities of the federal government by focusing its science and technology programs on innovative projects that improve the quality of life of Canadians. The Sector also shares its knowledge and expertise in partnerships and cost-recovery projects with clients around the world. The generation and dissemination of information that contributes to the well-being of Canadian citizens is at the forefront of all ESS activities. More information ...

The Sector primarily consists of the Geological Survey of Canada and Geomatics Canada. In addition, three national initiatives, the Polar Continental Shelf Project, GeoConnections, and the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Directorate are housed in the Sector on behalf of the Canadian Government.

The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is Canada's premier agency for geoscientific information and research. Its world-class experts focus on geoscience surveys, sustainable development of Canada's resources, environmental protection, natural hazards research and technology innovation. More information ...

Geomatics Canada (GC) is responsible for gathering, analyzing, interpreting, distributing, and using geographic information. It is recognized internationally as an organization that provides geospatial information using sophisticated technologies. GC consists of the Mapping Services Branch; the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, which includes the Geodetic Survey Division; and the Legal Surveys Division, which includes the International Boundary Commission. More information ...

As mentioned above, ESS operates three national initiatives. GeoConnections is a major national partnership initiative created to build the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure and make Canada's location-based data, applications, and services readily accessible on-line to support a wide range of key public priorities. The Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Directorate supports research to fill critical knowledge gaps, undertakes and supports assessment of impacts and adaptations, enhances collaboration between stakeholders and researchers, and facilitates policy development. The Polar Continental Shelf Project coordinates logistics support for, and offers expert advice to, Canadian government and university scientists and independent, private-sector and non- Canadian researchers working in isolated areas throughout the Canadian Arctic.

The Sector's Policy Coordination Branch, provides leadership and a central focus for the ESS policy, planning and coordination, and communication functions. Through the International Division, strategic direction is provided for the Sector's international activities, and, in doing so, opportunities are created to promote Canadian Earth science industrial products and services globally.

The ESS Office is charged with a key role in guiding the Sector as it transforms into a more integrated, issues-driven, high-performance organization that produces value for Canadians. The Office promotes this integration and synergy through the project selection and review processes.

ESS Support Services provides leadership and a central focus for ESS financial, administrative, and human resource functions; publishes the scientific output of the GSC; provides information dissemination services, and leads the development and management of the Sector's information technology infrastructure.

The ESS Chief Scientist provides scientific leadership to the Sector and is its principal interface with external scientific organizations.