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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.
Resources & Tools
2000/15
March 10, 2000
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN THE
GEOMATICS INDUSTRY
MONTREAL — 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. The announcement was made by Jacques Saada, M.P. for Brossard-La Prairie, on behalf of Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), at the Geomatics 2000 conference in Montreal.
The Government of Canada's $2.4-million contribution to these projects has led to an additional $3-million investment from private-sector partners. Projects are located throughout the country and include a world conservation atlas, a water-quality data system and an emergency response system, among others.
"Successful GeoInnovations projects will lead to the kinds of jobs Canadians need to be leaders in the high-tech, knowledge-based economy," said NRCan Minister Ralph Goodale. "Geomatics technology helps us respond to crisis situations, plan our communities and manage our resources better. Canada needs this information and Canadian geomatics firms are developing the innovative products and services demanded at home and internationally."
The GeoInnovations program is part of GeoConnections, a $60-million, five-year national partnership initiative created in 1999 that will make geographic data and services accessible to Canadians through the Internet. GeoConnections supports the efforts of the private sector, government agencies and academia to enhance Canadian geomatics expertise and technology, as well as develop commercial products for world markets.
GeoInnovations also complements the six other GeoConnections programs by fostering new geomatics technologies and leads to the training of new knowledge workers in a rapidly expanding global industry. The Canadian geomatics sector is expected to create 16,000 new jobs over the next five years with the help of initiatives such as GeoInnovations.
"As the 2000 Budget demonstrates, the Government of Canada believes that new ideas and the highly skilled people who can create them are crucial to our country's future," said Mr. Saada. "Programs such as GeoConnections and GeoInnovations ensure that we have the tools we need today to build the country we want tomorrow."
Geomatics uses modern technology to obtain and manipulate geospatial data, which is information based on location, maps being the most familiar example. This information, when organized and interpreted, allows the creation of composite pictures of an area's geographic, environmental and socio-economic characteristics. While paper-based maps are static and limited, online maps can be changed to integrate various types of information and can be adapted to suit the needs of users, such as individual Canadians, private businesses or governments. Computer technology now allows geospatial data to be used in new ways, such as pinpointing the exact location of phone lines or water pipes, responding to emergencies, conducting research and planning community development.
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For more information, media may contact:
Pat Breton
Press Secretary
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-2007
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available on the Internet at http://www.nrcan.gc.ca.