Best Practice Presentation: Harmonizing Canada’s Geospatial Metadata
| Title: | Harmonizing Canada’s Geospatial Metadata |
| Date: | 2020-09-22 15:00 |
| Slides: |
slides.pdf |
Cindy Mitchell
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Ms. Mitchell graduated from Carleton University in 1997 with a B.A. in Geography and has worked in Canada’s vibrant geomatics sector, both in the private and public sectors, for 23 years. A specialization in standardized geographic metadata brought her to Natural Resources Canada in 2001. Ms. Mitchell led a federal government-wide transition to one common geographic metadata (ISO 19115) between 2009 and 2014; following successful implementation, Ms. Mitchell led a multi-departmental team of experts in the creation of what became known as the Harmonized North American Profile of ISO 19115 –adding guidance and best practices to the existing profile to enable consistency and harmony in the whole-of-government implementation of this standard.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Ms. Mitchell graduated from Carleton University in 1997 with a B.A. in Geography and has worked in Canada’s vibrant geomatics sector, both in the private and public sectors, for 23 years. A specialization in standardized geographic metadata brought her to Natural Resources Canada in 2001. Ms. Mitchell led a federal government-wide transition to one common geographic metadata (ISO 19115) between 2009 and 2014; following successful implementation, Ms. Mitchell led a multi-departmental team of experts in the creation of what became known as the Harmonized North American Profile of ISO 19115 –adding guidance and best practices to the existing profile to enable consistency and harmony in the whole-of-government implementation of this standard.
Abstract
Canada's Standard on Geospatial Data requires that federal government departments and agencies implement internationally recognized standards that support consistent data management and stewardship, and that increase the interoperability of geospatial information across government. This standard specifically requires the use of the ISO 19115 standard for geographic metadata.
As federal departments and agencies worked together to implement this standard, and results were integrated within Canada's Federal Geospatial Platform, small but significant variations began to be apparent. Over 20 federal departments worked together to harmonize their implementation of the ISO standard for metadata, improving overall consistency and quality of metadata for Canada's geospatial data. This presentation will discuss the challenges and rewards of a broad enterprise application this metadata standard, in terms of Canada's experience, and will be of interest to those coordinating or consolidating metadata from multiple sources.