Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future GeoBase Standards Corinna Vester Seminar on Canadian and International Standards in Geographic Information / Geomatics

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Presentation overview The goal of this presentation is to outline:  a brief description of GeoBase,  how GeoBase standards are developed,  what criteria GeoBase standards must meet,  what GeoBase standards have been adopted,  where information on GeoBase standards and specifications can be found.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future GeoBase is ….  GeoBase is a federal, provincial and territorial government initiative, overseen by the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG).  This initiative was undertaken to ensure the provision of, and access to fundamental geographic information that describes the Canadian landmass.  GeoBase consists of quality geospatial data, which is current, accurate and consistent throughout Canada. GeoBase is a unique data set, collected once and maintained - closest to source.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future CCOG IACG GeoBase: Relationships BC AB MB QC NS PEI NL YK NU GeoConnections EC AAFC PWGSC CP … INAC PSC Elections CHS GeoBase NRCan NWT ON SK NB StatsCan DND

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future GeoBase Principles 1.Source data (regional and, where practical, national) all share the same geometry. 2.GeoBase data provides national coverage. 3.Source data is collected once and used by many. 4.Source data is collected and maintained closest to source. 5.The cost of maintenance and update is shared among the levels of government. 6.All GeoBase data is available at no charge. 7.GeoBase data has no restrictions on its subsequent use. 8.GeoBase data uses a common license.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future GeoBase: Data Layers Geopolitical Boundaries Geographical Names of Canada National Road Network (NRN 2.0) Digital Elevation Data (CDED) Geodetic Network Satellite Orthoimages – Landsat 7 and SPOT 4 and 5 National Hydro Network (NHN)

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Technical Characteristics of GeoBase Data  GeoBase data comply with a standard data model and meet or exceed a minimum standard for accuracy, resolution and currency.  Metadata is defined and standardized at the entity level.  GeoBase data and all associated tools adhere to international standards.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Standards Criteria  GeoBase standards must fit with international standards.  GeoBase standards define what the standards are and when they must be complied with but not how the data is made compliant.  GeoBase standards will be maintained.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Standards Development and Acceptance Process CCOG sanctions a request for a new Standard and identifies co-Chairs for a development team for the Standard. 2.Co-Chairs, the data custodian and willing partners draft the Standard. 3.The draft Standard is circulated for review and comment. 4.Comments are reflected in draft Standard.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Standards Development and Acceptance Process NRCan reviews the Standard against applicable international standards and against other themes to ensure consistency. It provides advice on any non- conformity to the participating agencies and to the GeoBase Steering Committee. 6.Workshops with appropriate experts (internal and external) are held across Canada to further review and modify the Standard. 7.Revised draft Standard is sent to CCOG members for review.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Standards Development and Acceptance Process After a minimum two-month review period the Standard is tabled for a vote of CCOG. 9.The Standard is accepted if 75% of CCOG members vote to accept it.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Current Standards  To date three sets of standards have been through the full development and acceptance process. These are:  National Road Network (NRN 1.0)  National Hydrographic Network (NHN) v1.0.  National Road Network (NRN 2.0)  Full documentation of these standards are available on the GeoBase Web site (

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Grandfathered Standards  Geopolitical Boundaries,  Geodetic Control Points,  Landsat 7 Orthoimages,  Digital Elevation Data, and  Geographic Names  The standards for these products were presented to the CCOG and were adopted by Resolution F These standards serve as the starting point for any future standards development for these themes.  No further standards will be grandfathered. All future standards will follow the processes outlined in this document.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Future GeoBase standards  Land cover  Municipal Boundaries

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Standards Maintenance Process  Any CCOG member can identify a need for a change to a standard. In order to move forward with any change, 75% of voting CCOG members must be in favour.  The process for change to a standard is the same as for a new standard.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future GeoBase Data Specifications  Detailed specifications for all of the GeoBase data layers are documented and available on the GeoBase portal.

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future Questions ?