Canadian Geospatial Digest for March 3, 2025

• New Interactive Map Facilitates Identification of Territory Stakeholders in Quebec
• WildFireSat: Canada’s Satellite System to Revolutionize Northern Wildfire Monitoring
• Canada Updates Historical Flood Events Layer with Over 100 New Events
• Google Addresses Mislabeling of Canadian Provincial Parks as ‘State Parks’
• Sudbury Launches Interactive Map to Track Snowplow Activity in Real Time
• Esri Canada Achieves Three ISO Certifications in Data Security

New Interactive Map Facilitates Identification of Territory Stakeholders in Quebec 

The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute (FNQLSDI) has launched the Main Territory Stakeholder Identification Interactive Map, a tool designed to assist users in identifying external stakeholders involved in specific territories across Quebec. ​

This interactive map aggregates multiple open data sources related to land use within the province, providing a comprehensive overview of various stakeholders. It serves as an invaluable resource for those engaged in projects such as establishing protected areas, enabling users to identify potential stakeholders concerned with specific territorial boundaries. ​

By offering a detailed understanding of land use and stakeholder involvement, the map enhances collaboration and informed decision-making for sustainable development initiatives in Quebec.

Read more here

WildFireSat: Canada’s Satellite System to Revolutionize Northern Wildfire Monitoring 

The Canadian Space Agency has announced the development of WildFireSat, a $72-million satellite constellation designed to enhance wildfire monitoring across Canada, particularly benefiting northern regions. This system will consist of seven microsatellites equipped with infrared sensors to measure daily heat emissions from wildfires, aiding in tracking fire intensity and spread. Scheduled to be operational by 2029, WildFireSat will provide near-real-time data during peak burn periods, significantly improving firefighting strategies and public safety measures.

Read more here

Canada Updates Historical Flood Events Layer with Over 100 New Events

Flooding remains a persistent challenge across Canada, impacting communities year after year. To enhance flood tracking and preparedness, Natural Resources Canada has updated the Historical Flood Events layer, incorporating 104 new flood events that occurred between June 2021 and June 2023.

This latest update includes major floods like those in Manitoba in 2022, further expanding the dataset, which now documents over 7,400 flood events dating back to 1696. By continuously integrating data from media sources, this interactive mapping tool helps researchers, policymakers, and emergency responders analyze long-term flooding patterns, improve risk assessments, and strengthen disaster preparedness efforts.

Residents and decision-makers can use this tool to gain crucial information into flood-prone areas, helping to inform infrastructure planning and climate resilience strategies.

Read more: here

Google Addresses Mislabeling of Canadian Provincial Parks as ‘State Parks’ 

Google is actively working to correct an issue on Google Maps where several Canadian provincial parks have been mislabeled as “state parks.” This mislabeling has caused confusion and frustration among Canadians, especially given recent political tensions between Canada and the United States. ​ Users have reported instances where parks like Mount Robson Park and Pinecone Burke Provincial Park in British Columbia were incorrectly categorized. Some Canadians viewed this as an “attack on our Canadian identity,” expressing concerns over the potential erosion of their cultural autonomy. ​

In response, a Google spokesperson stated that while no recent changes had been made to the labeling system, the company is “actively working to update labels for parks in Canada to avoid confusion.” The spokesperson explained that due to similarities between state and provincial parks, the terms were sometimes used interchangeably in their backend systems. ​

British Columbia’s Environment Minister, Tamara Davidson, acknowledged the concerns and confirmed that the provincial government has reached out to Google Canada, requesting the addition of a “provincial park” label option. Davidson emphasized, “And let’s be clear, we will never be the 51st state.” ​

This incident highlights the importance of accurate digital representations, especially in mapping services that many rely on for information and navigation.

Read more: here

Sudbury Launches Interactive Map to Track Snowplow Activity in Real Time

As a major snowstorm sweeps across the region, Sudbury residents now have access to a new interactive map that shows which streets and sidewalks have been recently plowed, sanded, or salted. The city’s initiative aims to improve transparency and help residents make informed travel decisions.

The map is color-coded and updates every 30 minutes, categorizing streets based on their last service time, ranging from within the past 12 hours to over 48 hours ago. The system relies on GPS data from city snowplows, ensuring real-time accuracy.

This tool allows residents to check road conditions at a glance, reducing uncertainty during winter storms and enhancing navigation across the city.

Read More: here

Esri Canada Achieves Three ISO Certifications in Data Security

Esri Canada has reached a significant milestone by obtaining three ISO certifications, underscoring its dedication to data security and quality management. The certifications include ISO 27001:2013 for information security management, ISO 20000-1:2018 for IT service management, and ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems.

These achievements highlight the company’s commitment to maintaining rigorous standards in safeguarding information and delivering high-quality services to its clients.

​Read more here