FOCUS ON:
Earth Observation essential for geohazard mitigation
More than 250 scientists from around the world gathered for a five-day workshop at ESA's Earth Observation Centre in Frascati.
Resources & Tools
Working together is theme of Inter-Agency Committee on Geomatics
It may be a golden oldie, but the 1970's hit "Let's Work Together" would be an ideal theme song for the Inter-Agency Committee on Geomatics (IACG).
Co-chaired by Natural Resources Canada and the Department of National Defence, the IACG is composed of Assistant Deputy Ministers from more than a dozen federal departments. The IACG and its Working Group of directors are coordinating the Canadian government's activities around geomatics. Without that coordination, federal departments would continue to spend more time and money than necessary to get the geomatics data, tools and applications they need.
In short, one of IACG's objectives is to enable the federal geomatics community to work more wisely by increasing its technological and political maturity.
Hitting the right note
What benefits will this collaboration offer? Many, in fact. For one, federal departments will be able to share geomatics data much more easily, which will cut costs and improve program efficiency. Two, departments will reduce overlap, ensuring that resources are directed to work in high-priority areas. And three, by interacting effectively with the provinces and territories, municipalities, industry, academia, and other NGOs to increase data access, federal departments will better meet the geomatics information needs of Canadians in the 21st century.
In addition to establishing its governance structure, the IACG has agreed upon three key principles:
- Assign Geomatics Community Coordinators
The IACG's Geomatics Community Coordinator model seeks to avoid the confusion that comes with trying to find up-to-date, accurate geomatics data in government databases. This model will make a specific organization accountable for ensuring that certain types of information are developed cooperatively and in support of the requirements of federal agencies. By clarifying roles and responsibilities, the community coordinator model will make it easier for government data users to find the information they need.
- Adopt common data licenses and practices
The federal government applies a variety of fees, terms of use, source citation requirements, and termination clauses to its geographic data usage agreements. Recognizing the need for consistency, the IACG has agreed that federal agencies will use common licensing terms and conditions developed through GeoConnections for the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). This approach will simplify federal agencies' and Canadians' use of federal data.
- Adopt common geospatial standards and infrastructure
Technological advances have created opportunities to share data across networks and throughout federal agencies. The IACG has therefore agreed that federal departments will adopt common geospatial standards endorsed by GeoConnections for the CGDI. These standards will maximize the benefits that geomatics data, software, and web services can offer.
Singing the praises of collaboration
Today, more than ever, federal departments need to work together efficiently. Led by the IACG, the federal geomatics community has taken this collaborative approach to heart. As a result, Canada's decision-makers, citizens and industries will have easier access to better geomatics information-a solid gold hit of our own.