Mandate:
To provide a reliable system of surveys, maps, remotely sensed data and geographically referenced information describing the Canadian landmass, for use by our clients, for the formulation of public policy, and for developing the infrastructure to support internationally competitive Canadian enterprises through the acquisition and dissemination of topographical and geographical information and remotely sensed data, the development and transfer of associated technologies to clients, and the provision of support for related international commercial activities.

Description:
The Geomatics Canada Activity represents the principal presence of the government in matters relating to surveying, mapping and remote sensing.

By:

• establishing and maintaining the Canadian spatial reference system of accurately positioned horizontal and vertical reference monuments and satellite tracking stations;
• regulating and managing property surveys on federal lands; maintains the Canada-U.S. boundary;
• acquiring and maintaining topographical maps and geographical information on the Canadian landmass;
• preparing, publishing, and distributing topographical maps, aerial photographs, and gazetteers;
• receiving, processing, archiving and disseminating data from remote sensing satellites;
• providing airborne remote sensing for research and demonstration projects;
• developing satellite and airborne remote sensing technology;
• transferring the resulting technology to Canadian industry;
• supporting the technology and applied R&D undertaken by industry, universities and governmental agencies;
• providing technical assistance to operational users of remote sensing for resource management and environmental monitoring;
• promoting and coordinating the development of geographical information systems technologies and applications;
• and promoting the development of international marketing abilities of the Canadian surveying, mapping and remote sensing industry and assists such marketing where appropriate.
• Policy Priorities and External Factors Influencing the Geomatics Canada Activity

Geomatics refers to the disciplines that acquire, store, manage, retrieve, manipulate and distribute spatial or geographically referenced data. Geomatics is now considered by Industry Canada to be one of the five components of the rapidly growing information technology (IT) sector. Industry Canada have said, "The intense use of geosciences in the development of our resource industries and the management of our huge geographic infrastructure has promoted the growth of Canada's geomatics industry to a world-leader status".

Geomatics is a strategic activity for enhancing Canadian exports. It can be used as a strategic export industry for Canada, linking such sectors as mining, forestry, agriculture, fisheries and oceans, and environment. The three major application categories of geomatics-natural resources management, infrastructure development and maintenance, and environmental management-will continue to figure prominently in both the domestic and world marketplaces during the next five years and beyond. As well, geomatics will be one of the users, data providers and participants of the information highway of telephones, data, cable and satellite technologies.

Geomatics industries and related applications are expected to continue to enjoy substantial and even accelerating growth. Canada's Long Term Space Plan includes projections for growth in value-added products and services related to remote sensing. Another indicator of growth is the expected dramatic increase in the number of Global Positioning System satellite receivers in use over the next decade. Such receivers are used for all aspects of positioning, from surveying to intelligent vehicle location.

Geomatics Canada is primarily responsible for delivering the federal government's geomatics activities and fostering growth in the Canadian geomatics industry. Through the Inter-Agency Committee on Geomatics, the sector brings together organizations in the federal government which have a variety of geomatics-related roles. Geomatics Canada provides the fundamental spatial reference information that geographic information systems require to function. This information infrastructure must be available for partners, including the geomatics industry, to use and to develop applications.

The Activity serves virtually every element of Canadian society. Clients include federal government departments, provincial and territorial departments and agencies, regions and municipalities, industry, the academic world, and the general public. Significant federal clients and partners include other sectors of NRCan, the Canadian Space Agency (remote sensing satellite programs), the Department of Indian and Northern Development (land claim settlements), the Department of National Defence (mapping), and Department of the Environment (environmental monitoring).

The strategic objectives of Geomatics Canada are:

To lead the development and implementation of a national and integrated geomatics infrastructure:

• by cooperating with other government departments, provinces and municipalities to avoid duplication and promote data sharing;
• and by improving the quality, efficiency and client use of national geomatics data bases and systems.

To provide products and services that are responsive to client needs:

• by providing Public Good services related to surveying and mapping in Canada;
• by providing the Earth Observation ground component of the Canadian Space Program; and
• by developing and implementing innovative geomatics technologies and applications.

To promote Canada as a world leader in geomatics:

• by advancing Canada's competitive position in the global geomatics market through export market development, education and demonstration projects; and
• by supporting the Canadian geomatics industry through export assistance, technology transfer, contracting-out and co-investment.

To provide a productive, creative and participating work environment.

Since the federal budget announcement of April 1993 of a move to special operating agency status (since put on hold), Geomatics Canada (former Surveys, Mapping and Remote Sensing Activity) has made significant progress in a new direction - from that of a traditional public service organization to that of a more entrepreneurial agency with a business like approach to delivering programs. In June 1994, the Activity adopted a new name, Geomatics Canada , and a new corporate identity. As well, in February 1994, Treasury Board approved the establishment of an $8.0 million revolving fund, along with the parliamentary appropriation, a first for a science-based sector. This mix allows the sector to fully recover the costs of commercial activities, while protecting the activities that are non-discretionary or legislated.

Geomatics Canada continues to support industry by contracting out much of its production requirements, with contracts totalling about $24 million annually. This stable domestic work base is regarded by the geomatics industry as a critical element of their being internationally competitive. In cooperation with other government departments, the Activity also assists the Canadian geomatics industry in exploring and securing new export markets for their products and services. Recognizing that the industry's major international competitors have the active support and backing of their governments and that most developing nations prefer government-to-government dealings, the Activity sends a number of market development missions abroad each year. Guidelines developed with private industry ensure that cooperative working relationships will prevail, and that Geomatics Canada will not compete with the private sector.

Geomatics Canada is exploring opportunities arising from the evolving "information highway". This will immensely expand the use of geomatics products and technology by making them more accessible. Spatially referenced information will be a significant part of the information sent and shared on this highway. There is tremendous potential for Canadian geomatics companies in domestic and overseas markets.

Geomatics Canada is taking a lead role in developing the potential contribution of geomatics technology to sustainable development through coordination of work with other NRCan sectors, notably the Canadian Forest Service, as well as with Environment Canada and geomatics industry partners.