Spatial Data Infrastructures Promise

1. Canada’s SDI ExperienceDenis PoliquinGeoConnections, Mapping Information Branch,Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources CanadaJanuary 18, 2011

2. Spatial Data Infrastructures Promise The promise of this SDI seminar: « Enormous efforts and resources are being chanellised towards the establishment of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) all over the world. “This will help to facilitate easy data acquisition and sharing, leading to information standardisation and cost reduction.”

3. Outline • A Canadian Perspective • Why do we need a Spatial Data Infrastructure? • GeoConnections Status • CGDI Ressources Centre • CGDI Performance • Value of Location-Based Knowledge • Canadian SDI Context • Contact information

4. CANADA • 91% of total area is land and 9% is fresh water. • Canada has the world's longest coastline and in terms of area is the second largest in the world (after Russia). • There are 10 provinces and 3 territories, and they each maintain control of their natural resources. WE LOVE TO PLAY HOCKEY

5. Why do we need Spatial Data Infrastructures? Red River Flood Canada/USA May 7, 1997 • Geospatial Information that is shared through all levels of government is a key tool for decision support in addressing key priorities.

6. Location-Based 911 System • PRISM-911 called out to approximately 700 homes along the Trent River notifying them of a flood warning (April 2008) • Batawa residents were notified in a boil water advisory, approximately 120 residents were called (January 2008). PRISM GIS and PRISM 911Developed by the City of Quinte West

7. What could an evolved SDI look like? • How can we manage our water resources… From nearmap.com

8. In the Canadian Context… • The GeoConnections program was established, under a Federal Department, to lead the development of the national spatial data infrastructure. GeoConnections Mandate: …to make Canada’s geographic information accessible on-line, to help decision makers use location-based (geospatial) information by developing the CGDI.

9. Current Status • GeoConnections has successfully delivered on its previous mandates. • The 2010 Federal Budget announced a renewed commitment for the GeoConnections program and provided $11 million in funding over two years. • GeoConnections will continue to provide leadership and coordination and with key stakeholders will lead strategic geomatics policy development.

10. Objectives • Increase awareness of the benefits of using geospatial data and tools to achieve goals for key economic, social and environmental priorities; • Facilitate the integration and use of geospatial data to support effective decision making; • Lead the coordination, development and support the implementation of national policies, standards and mechanisms to ensure maintenance and up-dating of geospatial data and integration with global standards; • Keep Canada at the leading edge of accessing, sharing and using geospatial information via the Internet;

11. CGDI Continuum – How we build our SDI … • Standards; • Value; • Policy;… • drivers for greater relevance and impact

12. GeoConnections: A decade of progress • The three phases of GeoConnections • 1999: establish and build the CGDI; • The supply side • 2005: evolve and expand the CGDI for end-users; • The demand side • 2010: core federal role: Standards, Value & Policy • Tying it all together

13. Needs Needs Needs Ensuring Relevance Government Priorities Stakeholders Supply Strategy, Leadership and Governance Operational Infrastructure Supply Operational Policies Standards & Tools, data Supply Canada’s Spatial Data Infrastructure

14. CGDI Resource Centre • The GeoConnections program, in its third mandate (2010-2015), will complete the CGDI by ensuring that it is: • comprehensive, • usable, • high-performing, • relevant and; • poised for future growth and development. • By coordinating the technical evolution of the CGDI and by consolidating and disseminating existing and evolving knowledge of the CGDI, the CGDI Resource Centre project contributes directly to the completion of the CGDI.

15. CGDI Performance • Curent direction: • Updated CGDI Vision and Roadmap • CGDI Assessment Framework Being updated for 2012

16. Value of Location-Based Knowledge Project Objective: Evaluate the economic impact of the use of geospatial data and information to better enable Geomatics Canada and stakeholders to assess the overall benefits of investing in geospatial information. Value of Location-Based Knowledge Project Geospatial Return on Investment (ROI) CGDI projects in communities - user and SDI perspective Value of place-based approaches – policy perspective Value of location-based information – economic perspective

17. Current Value Challenge • How to establish performance measures and monitoring framework to demonstrate ROI/relevance and economic value? • Demonstrate return on investment to ‘investors’ (Treasury officials); • Build case for further investment in SDI given evolving policy context and innovation; • Asking the right question is extremely important • Develop methodology within an international context/framework to promote global SDI network (rising tide floats all boats); • Quantify/qualify benefits to clients (decision-makers)

18. Return on Investment of the Location-Based 911 System • This study quantifies the significant benefits of implementing and using geospatial applications using SDI principles. • A backward-looking five-year analysis of Quinte West PRISM evaluated costs and benefits from 2006 (at start up) to 2010. Here are the results, all in 2006 Canadian dollars:

19. Current Response • Relevance metrics established are heavily weighted to demand-side valuation; multiple perspectives and value proposition are being explored in an holistic approach. • Involve national baseline assessment of stakeholders needs (qualitative and quantitative approaches) • A perfect opportunity for an ongoing engagement of the geomatics community in a Pan-Canadian Geomatics Strategy to ensure the sustainability: mainly its work force, to foster competitiveness and to adapt business model, for more productivity, in a global digital economy. • Empowering geomatics experts to better to serve knowledge workers – user experience

20. Future Research Directions • Three avenues are suggested for new research: • Development of an agreed set of characteristics, with a common valuation methodology, for an international SDI evaluation framework; • Country-specific analysis of demand-side valuations supported by other economic valuations of location-base knowledge (note limited to SDI) with comparative analysis of stakeholder preferences in each country • Contribution of SDI to policy performance measurement (e.g. role of SDI in monitoring changes of natural capital)

21. Conclusions • Data that is not used has no value • Therefore, value derives from utility • Utility is defined by users and stakeholders • In Canada, and we think, abroad, there is a recognized approach to demand-side metrics augmented by economic valuations. • It should be possible to achieve a common evaluation framework that our metrics can be nested within.

22. Contact • Denis Poliquin • Manager, GeoConnections • Mapping Information Branch • Earth Sciences Sector • Natural Resources Canada • Phone / Téléphone: (613) 992-1514 • Fax / Télécopieur: (613) 947-2410 • denis.poliquin@nrcan.gc.ca