Canada’s geomatics sector is standing at a crossroads. With the federal government committing 5% of GDP to defence,  including 1.5% for critical infrastructure, the country is entering a genuine nation-building moment. New investments are set to reshape everything from housing and transportation to energy corridors, ports, and digital infrastructure.

Yet behind every bridge, power grid, and corridor lies something less visible but equally vital: the geospatial intelligence that helps Canada plan, build, and defend itself.

That reality forms the backdrop for one of the most anticipated discussions at this year’s GoGeomatics Expo 2025 — The C-Suite Panel: Navigating the Future of Canada’s Geomatics Sector. The panel will take place at 3:15 PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Why This Conversation Matters

The scale of current investment demands more than technology—it demands alignment: between policy and procurement, public and private sectors, and innovation and execution.

While Canada’s geomatics community is rich in expertise, it continues to wrestle with familiar obstacles:

• Procurement systems that often stifle innovation and limit SME participation.
• Fragmented policy frameworks around data sharing and digital sovereignty.
• Workforce shortages across surveying, GIS, and technical disciplines, made worse by outdated NOC classifications.
• Global competition for both talent and market share in rapidly advancing fields like AI, BIM, and Earth observation.

The C-Suite discussion will tackle these structural challenges head-on, exploring what leadership, collaboration, and reform will be needed for Canada to deliver at scale.

What the Panel Will Explore

The conversation brings together executives and senior leaders representing the full geomatics value chain — from surveying and mapping firms to geospatial technology providers, infrastructure companies, and government agencies.

The panel will address:

• Nation-building opportunity: How can defence and infrastructure spending create new markets for geomatics, and are Canadian firms ready?
• Procurement reform: How can policy evolve to reward innovation while ensuring accountability?
• Workforce readiness: What must change in education and training to prepare the next generation?
• Innovation and resilience: How can Canadian companies compete globally in AI, digital twins, and Earth observation?
• Policy alignment: What national frameworks are needed to coordinate data governance and interoperability?

Who You’ll Hear From

The panel brings together senior executives from across Canada’s geomatics, Earth Observation, and infrastructure ecosystem — each offering a distinct perspective on what it will take for Canada to deliver at scale. Moderated by Jonathan Murphy, Founder and Managing Director of GoGeomatics Canada, the discussion aims to connect experience, innovation, and leadership in a candid exploration of how Canada can align policy, talent, and technology to strengthen its geomatics foundation.

• Ashley Robertson, Chief Operating Officer, GeoVerra — representing one of Canada’s largest surveying and geomatics firms, with deep insight into operational excellence, workforce development, and data integration.
• Wade Larson, Senior Vice President, Business Development, EarthDaily — brings decades of leadership in Earth observation and satellite programs, with EarthDaily advancing the frontiers of EO analytics for environmental intelligence, resilience, and sustainability.
• Brent Lane, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, BigGeo — driving innovation in spatial data infrastructure and analytics, and a leading voice on Canada’s need for sovereign digital infrastructure, championing home-grown capability in geospatial data, cloud, and analytics.
• Kurtis Broda, Chief Product Officer at Wyvern drives product innovation and mission design for the company’s next-generation hyperspectral satellites.

This discussion goes beyond business strategy. It’s about defining how Canada’s geomatics ecosystem can rise to the scale of its national ambitions — building the partnerships, policies, and workforce that will sustain innovation for decades to come.

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