In this Chapter, you will learn about:

• The major components and benefits of the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI)
• The role played in framework data by the following key Canadian and international geospatial organizations:
  • GeoConnections
  • Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG)
  • Inter-Agency Committee on Geomatics (IACG)
  • Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Spatial data infrastructures formalize the structure and process for organizing, using and sharing geospatial data and services common to a broad spectrum of applications and users within a country and between countries. Like Canada, countries such as Australia, Sweden and the United States have established their own national spatial data infrastructures, and many others are following suit.

GeoConnections, the Canadian Council on Geomatics, and the Inter-Agency Committee on Geomatics are domestic groups involved in the provision of framework data.  

Canadian framework data standards meet international norms, making the data compatible with both commercial and custom geospatial information applications. The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) and the International Organization for Standardization are two groups involved in the establishment of international standards governing framework data.