Nat. Resources Canada: Free Online Access to Digital Mapping Data

[Wdimitr]

APRIL 4, 2007 - 06:00 ET    
 
Natural Resources Canada: Canada's New Government Provides Free Online Access
to Digital Mapping Data
 
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - April 4, 2007) - 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.

"Our Government recognizes the importance of providing Canadians with access
to the latest digital mapping information at no cost," said Minister Lunn.
"Not only will Canadians now have free access to digital maps, but Canada will be
known as an important source for digital mapping data around the world."

Topographic data provide information on the location of landscape features -
such as lakes, rivers and elevations - and also roads, railways and
administrative boundaries. This information is used for many purposes by governments,
academia and the private sector to provide valuable maps for Canadians.

The new no-fee access policy applies to data that is solely owned by NRCan.
This policy builds on an earlier initiative (www.GeoBase.ca), which in 2003
provided free access to various co-owned federal, provincial and territorial
topographic data. As well as waiving access fees, NRCan is lifting all cost and
licence restrictions on the redistribution of the data. This will help ensure
that accurate and consistent information is available for users.

NRCan has provided the private sector with access to digital topographic data
since the early 1990s. With the ongoing rapid growth of the Internet and the
resulting drop in distribution costs, it is appropriate to make public
information in digital form available without any restrictions on its use or
redistribution. The data collections will be made available through the GeoGratis Web
portal (geogratis.gc.ca). Users will need to have a geographic information
system or image analysis system and the graphics applications of editing software
to view the data.

The no-fee policy helps advance the Government of Canada's commitment to the
development of knowledge, innovation and productivity in the natural resources
sectors and elsewhere - giving Canadians the advantage to succeed.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Experts and other users of digital topographic data will no longer have to
pay to use digital versions of government maps and data. Natural Resources
Canada began providing this data free of charge on April 1, 2007, to help ensure
the availability of accurate and consistent information.

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at
www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.

 
    CONTACT INFORMATION    
   
Media may contact:
Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
Ghyslain Charron
Media Relations
613-992-4447

or

Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
Office of the Minister
Kathleen Olson
Acting Director of Communications
613-996-2007

or

General public may contact
Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EST
Telephone: [phone]
TTY: teletype for the hearing
impaired 613-996-4397
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