Open Geospatial Consortium Strategic Membership

The Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has a requirement for an Open Geospatial Consortium Strategic Membership, which covers the years of 2021 to 2026. The Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) represents Canada’s national Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). Similar to traditional physical infrastructure that helps Canadians with their everyday lives (e.g. roads, utilities, telecommunications), CGDI is an infrastructure for geospatial (i.e. location) information. In short, CGDI helps Canadians find, access, use, and share geospatial information.

GeoConnections is a national program led by NRCan, which is mandated to advance the CGDI. Like physical infrastructure that is regularly improved through new technologies (e.g. upgrading analogue electrical meters with digital smart meters), CGDI’s digital infrastructure can consistently be upgraded to take advantage of new developments. This is commonly achieved through new and/or improved geospatial standards. Geospatial standards provide a vehicle for geospatial information to be described in a consistent, commonly understood, and agreed-upon way. Such standards enable interoperability: the ability to access, use, and understand information regardless of software or technology type.

To support implementation and use of state-of-the-art geospatial standards to maintain and advance the CGDI, NRCan is required to engage with United Nations recognized international standards development organizations (SDOs). The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an international SDO with a specific focus on helping members develop and implement geospatial information interoperability through open geospatial standards. Given the OGC’s position in the geospatial standards environment, it is in NRCan’s best interest to maintain an active presence within the Consortium. Membership within the OGC is a required step for supporting this presence. NRCan has been an OGC member since 1998.

The membership will enable NRCan to maintain a Strategic membership within the OGC. The contract will have annual renewal options to be exercised at NRCan’s discretion. This membership will allow NRCan to obtain all associated benefits of the OGC to which it is entitled as a Strategic member to meet NRCan and Government of Canada needs.