Canada is leading the world in building a virtual infrastructure to use geographic or geospatial information for the economic and social benefit of our citizens. The Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) is establishing important partnerships to develop and exchange innovative on-line geospatial content and services for policy and business decision-making. Using the Internet, citizens can now view geographic information about issues that are relevant to them and to the Government of Canada.

Canadians are enjoying better access to ESS geospatial maps, data, services, and web-based applications through the Sector's Geomatics for Connecting Canadians (GCC) program. By making ESS geospatial information more accessible to clients on-line, the program enables a wider audience to use geospatial information and consequently contributes to more informed decision-making. It builds on the success of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and furthers the contribution of ESS to this resource. The CGDI includes the technologies, standards, access systems and protocols necessary to harmonize all of Canada's geospatial databases, and make them available on the internet.

Revamped Atlas of Canada Improves Navigation and Accessibility

Based on input from Atlas of Canada users and thanks to the work of the GCC program, the new look and feel of the Atlas web site makes it easier to navigate and to find maps and related information about the country. In addition, the Atlas is also now fully accessible for people with disabilities who use assistive technologies. The Atlas of Canada is developed in collaboration with GeoConnections to help Canadians access geospatial information on the Internet. More information ...

Geospatial Portal Responds to Clients

The GeoBase Portal celebrated its first anniversary with a makeover provided by the GCC program of ESS. In response to client feedback, the new and improved portal is faster to navigate and more reliable. A product of partnerships between the Canadian Council on Geomatics, GeoConnections, governments and industry, the GeoBase Portal ensures the provision of, and Internet access to, a common, up-to-date and maintained base of quality geospatial data for all of Canada. The GeoBase Portal, along with the GeoGratis web site and the Digital Topographic Data Distribution site of ESS, have delivered over 1.6 million geospatial datasets over the past year to fuel the growth of geomatics applications and services across Canada.

User-centric Design Process Underlies GeoConnections Discovery Portal Improvements

The GeoConnections Discovery Portal provides Canadians with a convenient way to get geomatics data, tools and services through the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure. The site is now easier to navigate, query, and apply thanks to an ongoing user-centric design process used by the GCC program. After defining business and user needs and testing prototypes, the first in a series of site improvements by GCC simplified access to satellite images, topographic data, and aerial photographs. The next phase of site improvements will involve categorizing web services and bolstering content according to user needs. More information ...