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More than 250 scientists from around the world gathered for a five-day workshop at ESA's Earth Observation Centre in Frascati.

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News Releases

Read the latest news releases or browse the news-release archives to find information about important events and developments relating to the CGDI and geomatics in Canada. Issued by either GeoConnections or our partners, the news releases deal with a host of topics, such as contract announcements, technology introductions, and spin-off services, applications, or projects whose roots can be traced to GeoConnections funding.

January 03, 2008 - Burlington, MA, United Stats
Hundreds of Canadians Witness Success of Online Mapping Demonstration
The Carbon Project announces that its CarbonArc and Gaia software has successfully supported the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) Interoperability Pilot, most recently at a November 30 online demonstration attended by over 500 people from across Canada.

January 03, 2008 - St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador
Government of Canada Invests in Newfoundland and Labrador Company to Build Next-generation Internet Portals
The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources (NRCan), today announced $2 million in funding for a contract with Compusult Limited of Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador.

October 25, 2007 - Ottawa Ontario
Government Invests In Information Exchange Initiative to Improve Emergency Preparedness and Response
Speaking at the 2007 International Pipeline Security Forum, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, announced that the Government of Canada will invest $150,000 to fund a project that will facilitate the online exchange of information about Canada's critical infrastructure in support of emergency preparedness and response.
    Critical Infrastructure Information Identification Project
GeoConnections is working with Public Safety Canada and other safety and security partners to develop a standard way to share and exchange information about Canada's critical infrastructure.
    Notes for a Speech by The Honourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P. Minister of Natural Resources to the 2007 International Pipeline Security Forum

September 17, 2007 -
Canada's Government Funds $1.6 million in Modern Geography to Support Public Health Decisions
Decision makers are now able to use maps, satellite images, and other location-based or "geospatial" information and technologies over the Internet to tackle some of Canada's most pressing challenges, including public health.
    Backgrounder
Launched in 1999, GeoConnections is a national partnership program led by Natural Resources Canada that is evolving and expanding an online geographic resource for decision-makers. GeoConnections is focusing on four key areas: public health, public safety and security, sustainable development and the environment, and issues of importance to Aboriginal peoples.

September 06, 2007 - Burlington, Maryland
Carbon Project's CarbonArc Selected for National Interoperability Project
The Carbon Project, the world leader in innovative geosocial solutions, today announced its CarbonArc software was selected by GeoConnections to support the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) Interoperability Pilot.

September 10, 2007 - Richmond Hill Ontario
PCI Geomatics awarded a GeoConnections contract to develop a Web Coverage Server and Image Correction Appliance
PCI Geomatics, a world-leading developer of image-centric software and solutions for the geospatial industry, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a contract with GeoConnections to develop innovative technology for the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI).

August 30, 2007 - Lanark County Ontario
GeoConnections Project to Enhance Local Public Safety (PDF:20.85KB)
At the regular meeting of Lanark County Council last night, local MP Scott Reid, representing the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, along with project leaders, announced to council the exciting partnership between the federal government and local stakeholders, including the county, that aims to enhance the accessibility and quality of online location-based (geospatial) information to benefit all citizens and visitors to the area.

July 26, 2007 - Santiago, Chile
Canada's New Government Strengthens Ties with Chile with Mapping Agreement
The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Romy Schmidt, Chilean Minister of National Property, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop geospatial knowledge in both countries.

April 18, 2007 - King Township Ontario
Region to receive funding for Internet mapping
The federal government has awarded York Region special funding to implement a collaborative Internet mapping project, designed to assist planners across York with planning, growth management and sustainable development purposes.

April 04, 2007 - Ottawa Ontario
Canada's New Government Provides Free Online Access to Digital Mapping Data
Experts and other users of digital topographic data will no longer have to pay to use digital versions of government maps and data. The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that as of April 1, 2007, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) began making its electronic topographic mapping data available to all users free of charge over the Internet.

June 21, 2006 - Ottawa Ontario
Minister Lunn Announces $2.4 Million for Satellite Imaging: New Project Sharpens Focus on Canada
The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a five-year, $2.4-million project to provide access to new, high-quality satellite images of Canada. Speaking at the 2006 Geomatics Leaders Forum in Ottawa, Minister Lunn also announced that the improved and standardized satellite images will be available to all Canadians for free over the Internet.

June 24, 2005 - Newmarket Ontario
The Regional Municipality of York launches new YorkAtlas:York Region Enhances Online Geomatics Data Tools (PDF:106KB)
NEWMARKET - At its first Information Technology Day, York Region launched a new enhanced version of YorkAtlas, a component of YorkExplorer, the Region's popular Internet mapping site that provides users with the ability to view or create Regional maps based on their topic of interest.

June 15, 2005 - Ottawa Ontario
GeoConnections: Funding Renewed
The Government of Canada has renewed its commitment to providing access to high-quality maps, satellite images and related data and technologies. The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), yesterday announced that the Government has allocated funding of $60 million in Budget 2005 for a second, five-year phase of GeoConnections, a national partnership initiative led by NRCan to make Canada's geospatial databases, applications and services readily accessible on-line.

April 25, 2005 - Ottawa Ontario
India NSDI Feasibility Study
Canadian GeoProject Centre (CGPC) is pleased to announce that the India NSDI Feasibility Study has been approved by Canadian International Development Agency ? Industrial Cooperation Program (CIDA-INC). This project is being undertaken by CubeWerx Inc. and Holonics Data Management Group Inc., both based in Gatineau, Québec, with CGPC and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) playing support roles.

April 18, 2005 - London Ontario
County of Oxford receives award for Interoperable Geospatial Portal for Agriculture "Map Your Farm"
The portal provides the agricultural community with data and maps for nutrient management planning, environmental farm planning, applying for incentive funding, and addressing local zoning provisions. More than 200 GIS professionals were on hand for the presentation, which was one of the highlights of the conference.

April 05, 2005 - Portland Ontario
The Centre for Sustainable Watersheds and DM Solutions Group launch the Watersheds InfoXchange.
Portland, ON, April 4, 2005 - The Centre for Sustainable Watersheds (CSW), a non-profit environmental organization in Portland and DM Solutions, an Ottawa based company specializing in Open Source solutions, announced today the launch of the Watersheds InfoXchange (WIX). WIX, which has been in development for more than a year, is an interactive online tool for managing water quality monitoring data and accessing provincial and national datasets.

October 01, 2004 - Ottawa Ontario
GeoConnections partners with Wilfrid Laurier University to advance geomatics in Ontario's classrooms
GeoConnections partners with Wilfrid Laurier University to advance geomatics in Ontario's classrooms - GeoConnections' GeoSkills program is partnering with Wilfrid Laurier University to develop recommendations for including geospatial concepts in the Ontario secondary school curriculum.

October 15, 2003 - Montreal Quebec
Autodesk Partners with GeoConnections to Deliver Web Map Service Extension for Autodesk MapGuide
MONTREAL, Quebec--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, has partnered with GeoConnections, a Canadian partnership initiative led by Natural Resources Canada building the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI), to develop functionality in Autodesk MapGuide® software that complies with Open GIS Consortium (OGC) Web Map Service (WMS) specifications in Canada. The OGC WMS Specification is an industry consensus specification that enables organizations to efficiently, effectively, and immediately share and visualize data. Autodesk Professional Services provided the expertise and custom support to deliver the WMS Extension for Autodesk MapGuide software in Canada, enabling the Canadian government and the general public to have greater access to geographic data. The expertise was leveraged and incorporated into the WMS extension for Autodesk MapGuide that was delivered to Autodesk MapGuideâ Subscription customers in the United States and Canada in July.

December 15, 2003 - Ottawa Ontario
CGPC Pursues Business Opportunities in India and Thailand
The Canadian GeoProject Centre (CGPC) partnered with Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada (ESS-NRCan) in organizing the industry participation in a business mission to India and Thailand in November 2003.

July 23, 2003 - Ottawa Ontario
Chilean SDI Delegation Visits Canada
The Canadian GeoProject Centre (CGPC) helped to organize the program for a delegation from Chile, which visited Ottawa on July 2-4, 2003. The visit was organized by the Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), assisted by the Canadian embassy in Santiago, Chile.

April 15, 2003 - Ottawa Ontario
Innovative New Export Development Centre Launched
The Geomatics Industry Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications have announced the launch of a new not-for-profit corporation to promote Canada's geomatics expertise and capabilities internationally. Known as the Canadian GeoProject Centre (CGPC), this organization will partner with Canadian industry, government and academia to seek and secure large spatial data infrastructure and spatial information applications projects worldwide.

November 17, 2004 - Ottawa Ontario
Innovative Geomatics Projects to Receive Funding
Four companies will receive Government of Canada funding to help Canadians access and use geographical information through the Internet. David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, today announced this boost to the development of innovative geomatics technologies in Canada. He made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
    Backgrounder - GeoInnovations 2003 Projects

November 09, 2004 - Vancouver British Columbia
Mapping Out a New Future for Canadian Communities
Using the latest geographic information, communities across Canada are now better positioned to manage their local resources and their development. Yesterday, the Honourable Senator Jack Austin announced that the Government of Canada, through GeoConnections, has contributed $3.7 million over the past five years to the Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI).
    Backgrounder - Sustainable Communities Initiative
Using the latest geographic information, communities across Canada are now better positioned to manage their local resources and their development. Yesterday, the Honourable Senator Jack Austin announced that the Government of Canada, through GeoConnections, has contributed $3.7 million over the past five years to the Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI).

October 01, 2004 - Ottawa Ontario
Government of Canada Funds Geomatics Projects to Improve Decision Making
Twenty-nine projects will receive Government of Canada funding to help Canadians access and input geographical information through the Internet. The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, today announced this boost to the development of on-line geographic data, applications and services in Canada. He made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
    Backgrounder - 2004 GeoConnections Projects

August 19, 2004 - Toronto Ontario
GeoTango Technology Well Received at Joint Warrior Interoperablity Demonstration (JWID) 2004
GeoTango International Corp, a leading Canadian developer of 3D geospatial technologies, was a participant in the recent Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration exercise. GeoTango provided GeoServNet? Globe and GeoServNet? Analyst technologies to support a number of scenarios. Response to the capabilities of the GeoServNet tools was very positive and the Ottawa Citizen called GeoTango?s technology

April 15, 2004 - Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
Compusult Completes Emergency Mapping Symbology Initiative for OGC
Compusult Limited today announced the successful completion of the Emergency Mapping Symbology (EMS) Testbed.

The project, begun in January 2004, enhanced and tested OpenGIS(R) Specifications that enable the use of multiple symbol sets with one set of geospatial feature data. After the enhanced specifications are adopted by the OGC and implemented in interoperating software products, different emergency management agencies who use different symbol sets and different software will be able to share data and yet display it using symbols that may be familiar only within one agency.

June 16, 2004 - Halifax Nova Scotia
New Website Puts Data on the Map
A new Internet site launched today, June 16, will make it easier for people to find high quality Nova Scotia geographic data.

The GeoNOVA web portal was launched during a one-day workshop in Halifax, that explored the future of the geomatics industry in Atlantic Canada.

May 18, 2004 - Calgary Alberta
Calgary Industry Sector Launches Innovative Campaign to Promote Geomatics to Students Nationwide (DOC:127KB)
The Calgary Geomatics Cluster has launched a nationwide awareness campaign in association with GeoConnections, a national partnership initiative led by Natural Resources Canada, and with the support of the Geomatics Department of the University of Calgary. A set of colourful and informative posters have been developed to raise awareness of the exciting field of geomatics within the country?s future technology workforce by appealing specifically to students.

September 13, 2002 - Ottawa Ontario
Dhaliwal announces $24,000 in geomatics scholarships
The Government of Canada is investing in some of Canada's brightest geomatics students. The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), today announced the names of 16 college and university students from across Canada who will receive scholarships worth $1,250 to $1,750 under the Geomatics Canada Scholarship Program.

April 19, 2004 - Wayland, Maryland
OGC Announces Canadian Interoperability Day to be held in Ottawa April 23
The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) announced the Canadian Interoperability Day, an all-day event to be held on April 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Interoperability Day is sponsored by OGC, PCI Geomatics and GeoConnections -- a Canadian partnership initiative led by Natural Resources Canada.

March 22, 2004 - Wayland, Maryland
OGC Announces Meetings and Canadian Interoperability Day in Ottawa
The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) today announced that PCI Geomatics and GeoConnections -- a national partnership initiative led by Natural Resources Canada that is building the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) -- are hosting the 49th OGC Technical Committee and Planning Committee meetings April 19 - 22, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

March 19, 2004 - Ottawa Ontario
Inventory of Geomatics Educational Opportunities to Help the Geomatics Industry (PDF:53.9)
To support the competitiveness of Canada?s growing geomatics sector, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges will host an on-line database listing all educational opportunities available to prospective students and professionals in the field of geomatics. This database will be hosted in partnership with the GeoConnections initiative, through its GeoSkills program.

February 01, 2002 - Wayland MA
Natural Resources Canada Becomes OGC Principal Member
The Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC) announced today that Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), through the GeoConnections national initiative, has upgraded its OGC membership to the Principal level. The change of membership status reflects the organization's commitment to geospatial interoperability.

November 19, 2003 - Ottawa Ontario
Government of Canada Launches Internet Portal for Geospatial Information
A new Web site developed by the Government of Canada is delivering digital geographic data from across the country to Canadians with an interest in geomatics. That's the purpose of Canada's first GeoBase portal, launched today to celebrate International Geographic Information Systems Day.

December 09, 2003 - Wakefield Quebec
Geographic Information Systems Bring New Knowledge to Communities
New funding from the Government of Canada will allow a regional municipality north of Ottawa to use geospatial information, such as land data and computer-generated maps, to promote economic development.

August 19, 2003 - Gatineau Quebec
Government of Canada Announces $267,500 Contract to Develop Geographic Data Web Server
A $267,500 competitive contract has been awarded to PCI Geomatics of Gatineau, Que., to develop a new server to facilitate access to geographic information on the Internet.

August 21, 2003 - Vancouver British Columbia
Government of Canada Announces $255,730 Contract to Develop Web Registry Service
A $255,730 competitive contract has been awarded to Galdos Systems Inc., of Vancouver, B.C., to develop a Web registry service to support the discovery and management of Web-accessible geospatial resources, including map styles, images and geographic datasets.

September 11, 2003 - Montreal Quebec
Government of Canada Announces $214,000 Contract to Develop Data Presentation Protocol
A $214,000 competitive contract has been awarded to Intelec Geomatics of Montreal, Que., to develop a Web service capable of harmonizing the presentation, search and purchase of Canadian geospatial data on the Internet.

June 22, 2001 - Ottawa Ontario
Putting Information Technology in the Hands of the Fishing Industry
The Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Government of Canada, today announced a $60,000 investment to put state-of-the-art information technology in the hands of the fishing industry. Minister Tobin made the announcement at the Smarter Communities-Smarter World conference.

June 02, 2000 -
Atlantis Scientific Inc. (ASI) Announces Intention to release 'openEV'
OpenEV is a software library and application for viewing and analysing raster and vector geospatial data.

August 14, 2003 - Chelsea Quebec
Government of Canada Announces $267,500 Contract to Develop Web Service for Data Sharing
A $267,500 competitive contract has been awarded to Consultants TGIS Inc., of Chelsea, Que., to develop a Web-based service for sharing geospatial data.

August 12, 2003 - Ottawa Ontario
DM Solutions Announces Significant Enhancements to MapServer
DM Solutions Group Inc., a leading Web mapping solutions company, today announced significant contributions to MapServer, an open source Web mapping technology broadly used within the GIS industry. Version 4.0 of MapServer is now available, and includes implementations of the Open GIS Consortium Web Map Context and Web Feature Service specifications. Another key addition completed by DM Solutions Group is the capacity to output vector-based maps.

July 28, 2003 - Richmond British Columbia
Government of Canada Announces $240,750 to Develop 'Smart Broker'
A $240,750 competitive contract has been awarded to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., of Richmond, B.C., to develop a Web-based brokerage service, the Smart Broker, for the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure community.

December 30, 2001 -
The Canadian GIS industry taking the initiative in the OGC
Early December marked an exciting and important event for Galdos Systems, National Resources Canada (NRCAN) and other Canadian GI companies as they welcomed members of the Open GIS (r) Consortium to Vancouver, B.C.

July 10, 2003 - Ottawa Ontario
DM Solutions Group awarded GeoConnections contract - Significant enhancements to MapServer and related technologies planned
DM Solutions Group Inc., a leading Web mapping solutions company, today announced that the company was awarded a GeoInnovations contract to develop interactive cartography tools that work seamlessly with the emerging Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI).

June 06, 2003 - St.Paul, Minnesota
DM Solutions Chameleon Technology to change the customization of online maps

July 10, 2002 - Vancouver British Columbia
IDELIX Completes PDT Web Map Client- Project Completed in Conjunction with NRC's GeoConnections

July 01, 2003 - Ottawa Ontario
Dhaliwal launches historical maps on Atlas of Canada web site
A new section on the Atlas of Canada Web site is bound to enthuse history buffs from coast to coast to coast. The Archive Maps of Canada, launched today as part of Canada Day celebrations, is a compilation of maps that have been digitally reproduced from previous print collections of the Atlas.

June 23, 2003 - Vancouver British Columbia
Dhaliwal announces funding for innovative geomatics projects
The development of on-line geomatics tools and services in Canada received a boost today. Ten projects will receive Government of Canada funding to help Canadians access geographical information through the Internet. The announcement was made by the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada.

January 24, 2002 - Ottawa Ontario
Dhaliwal Announces $1.7 Million Investment in Innovative Geomatics Tools and Services
Emergency workers should soon be able to pull up the best route through the city and other essential information on their mobile terminals. This is one of 12 projects receiving a total of more than $1.7 million in funding through GeoConnections, announced Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), today.

April 28, 2000 - Magog-Orford Quebec
Sustaining Communities Through Sustainable Resources Development
The Government of Canada is providing communities with the tools and information they need to integrate social, environmental and economic factors in their decision making. Canadian communities will receive $5 million over 5 years through the Sustainable Communities Initiative, announced the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Rural Development) (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario).

March 10, 2000 - Montreal Quebec
Government of Canada Invests in The Geomatics Industry
Twenty-nine projects that will spur the development of innovative, on-line geomatics tools, applications and services are being funded under the GeoInnovations program, an $11-million, five-year industry partnership initiative.

September 28, 2000 - Ottawa Ontario
World Conservation Union Launches 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (PDF:27 KB)
Karen Redman, MP for Kitchener-Center and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment David Anderson today participated in the Canadian launch of the World Conservation Union's 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.