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Notes / Technical Reports

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2023)

Canada’s answer to a Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI)

  • Claude Guay
  • Loretta Abado
  • Haifa Feki
  • Bill Goodine
  • Chris Hemmingway
Submitted
March 12, 2025
Published
2025-03-13

Abstract

How does an organization of over 10,000 public servants manage authoritative marine geospatial data? To address this question, a small team within the Canadian Hydrographic Service of Fisheries and Oceans Canada was tasked to create a workable enterprise solution: A Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure. Implementing the solution involved collaboration with many parties, and adhering to many guiding policies, including Canada’s Directive on Open Government. Released in 2014, this directive consolidates the foundation of accountability and transparency of the Government of Canada to towards its Canadian citizens. The Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure within DFO is an infrastructure that promotes interoperability and authoritativeness of data at all levels.