Date modified: 2023-08-18
Share this page:
Natural Resources Canada
Committed to improving the quality of life of Canadians by ensuring the country’s abundant natural resources are developed sustainably, competitively, and inclusively.
On This Page
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is a GEO.ca partner, leading work in the field of geomatics for priorities including emergency mapping, forests, geology and geophysics, mines and minerals, and topography. Access data and services from some of NRCan’s geospatial contributors to GEO.ca and geospatial-related initiatives.
NRCan Featured Geospatial Contributors
Find more resources for geospatial information from Natural Resources Canada.
Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation
Within NRCan, The Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) responsibilities include data integration, innovation, analysis, management, and dissemination of a wide selection of geospatial data and mapping products.
Products
Basemaps
The Canada Transportation Basemap provides a geographical background for mapping and visualization, with a focus on transportation and official bilingual place names.
The Atlas of Canada
A key source of geographic information, the Atlas provides a selection of interactive, static and historical maps and geographical data available for reference or downloading
High Resolution Digital Elevation Model
The High Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM) is highly detailed 3D information providing essential foundational geospatial data for many government projects and priorities.
Services
Earth Observation Data Management System
Discover, access, and download satellite imagery including Long-Term Satellite Data Records, and millions of air photos from the National Air Photo Library (NAPL).
Canadian Geographical Names Database
Access nearly 350 000 currently approved geographical names stored on the CGNDB, Canada’s national bank of official geographical names.
Toporama
Toporama is a dynamic mapping tool to view Canada at a national, regional, and local scale. Use it to search for places, manage layers and more to create a custom map.
Innovation
Data Cube
The Data Cube platform allows users to interact with historical and current collections of satellite imagery and aerial photography products.
Geocore (Cloud-based Geospatial Search)
The geocore geospatial library is an open source, cloud-first solution for search, discovery, and dissemination of geospatial content.
Emergency Flood Mapping
NRCan’s Emergency Geomatics Services (EGS) provides critical, near real-time information to Public Safety Canada and emergency responders during ice break-up and flood events.
Standards
CCMEO leverages the standards-based technologies and operational policies of Canada’s spatial data infrastructure, the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). The CGDI’s base of standards, policies, applications and governance facilitates the access, use, integration and preservation of geospatial data and services for all Canadians.
NRCan Featured Geospatial Programs and Initiatives
Explore our featured initiatives below as we introduce you to some of the great projects, technologies, and ideas that NRCan is working on to create a stronger open source for geospatial resources for all Canadians.
Flooding is Canada’s most costly natural disaster. Each year, it causes an average of over $1 billion in direct damage to homes, property, and infrastructure. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity. Canadian federal, provincial and territorial geospatial data providers are collaborating to provide tools and resources to help Canadians plan and prepare for floods.
Open Science and data to inform cumulative effects
Environmental and socio-economic changes, caused by the combined effects of past, present and potential future human activities and natural processes, can accumulate and combine across space and time. We refer to these as ‘cumulative effects’. The Government of Canada’s Open Science and Data Platform, co-led by NRCan and Environment and Climate Change Canada, provides access to science and data that can be used by Canadians to understand the cumulative effects of human activities.
