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MaDGIC Data Services and Procedures for Obtaining Geospatial Information

The Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (MaDGIC) supports the university's research and teaching missions by providing geospatial and statistical information obtained from federal, provincial and municipal governmments, public agencies, private companies and some international organizations. Data sets vary in geographic coverage and theme, and include such topics as water, wetlands, vegetation, forestry, elevation, and much more. We collect a wide range of data types (raster and vector) and maintain a growing collection of imagery including orthophotography and some composite satellite imagery. Our services include provision of data sets and supporting information, reference consultation, demonstrations and workshops.

Data sets are available to registered members of Trent University for non-commercial purposes. In making requests for data sets please specify the geographic area (using NTS or OBM numbers, geographic coordinates, or a map of your research area) and the type of information (e.g. soils or contour information) that you need. In some cases, we require a user agreement form (see below under respective data descriptions).

MaDGIC will make every effort to meet your data information needs. Please send requests for data sets, appointments, demonstrations or workshops by email to the Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (dataimage@trentu.ca).

DATA SET DESCRIPTIONS

Topography | Elevation | DMTI Streets | Census | OntarioGov

CANADIAN TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION from Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN)

The Centre for Topographic Information within Natural Resources Canada is Canada's national topograhic mapping agency. It is responsible for the acquisition, management and dissemination of Canadian topographic information in both paper and digital formats. Trent University Map Library is a full depository library for paper and digital maps. Most digital products can also be downloaded directly at no cost from GeoGratis, Natural Resources Canada's spatial portal. Data are organized by NTS sheet number. Please visit Trent Map Library if you require assistance in determining which NTS number you need. The three main topographic databases available from Geogratis are CanVec, NTDB and CanMatrix:

CanVec

Canvec is Canada's newest and most up-to-date topographic database. Intended for GIS and other mapping applications, it consists of multiple spatial (georefenced vector data) and attribute (information that can be linked to spatial layers) data. A goal of CanVec is to consolidate data from the best available sources, including those outside Natural Resources Canada. At present layers are mainly from the National Topographic Data Base, as well as the National Road Network (NRN) and Mapping the North projects. Files are organized into 11 themes (Administrative Boundaries, Buildings and Structures, Energy, Hydrography, Industrial and Commercial Areas, Places of Interest, Relief and Landforms, Toponymy, Transportation, Vegetation and Water Saturated Soils). These are further subdivided into 90 entities (for example, the “relief and landforms” theme would include several entities for contours and elevation points).

Available Scales: 1:50,000
Projection: NAD83CSRS
Updates: Scheduled to published by edition (or release); twice per year
Source Formats: available in SHAPE (ESRI™) and in GML (Geographic Markup Language)

Further Information: Documentation and Metadata

Download CANVEC data from Geogratis
NTDB

The National Topographic Database (NTDB) contains vector spatial files developed by digitizing NTS maps. Though the product continues to be available for researchers, it is being replaced by CanVec. The NTDB is comprised of 122 entities subdivided into 13 themes. Themes include: Hydrography, Hypsography (contours), Vegetation, Road Network, Roads, Rail Network, Power Network, Designated Areas, Relief and Landform, Water Saturated Soils, Toponymy and Manmade Features.

Available Scales: 1:50,000 and 1:250,000
Projection: UTM NAD83
Updates: Updated to the most current edition of the corresponding NTS map; this product is being replaced by CanVec (see above description)
Source Formats: available in SHAPE (ESRI™)

Further Information: Documentation and Metadata

Download NTDB data from Geogratis

CanMatrix

CanMatrix is comprised of raster tiled images of scanned National Topographic Series (NTS) paper maps at the 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 scales. The front side of each topographic map sheet has been scanned including the map, scales, legends, publishing notes and any other information. The files are georeferenced and have a scanned resolution of 300 dpi. Control points for georeferencing are taken at the four corners of the neatline (the perimeter of the map).

Available Scales: 1:50,000 and 1:250,000
Projection: UTM NAD83
Source Formats: GeoTIFF

Further Information: Documentation and Metadata

Download CanMatrix data from Geogratis

Natural Resources Canada - Canadian Digital Elevation Data

The Canadian Digital Elevation Data (CDED) comprise raster data from National Topographic Database (NTDB) contours, taken from the 1:50 000 and 1:250 000 scales. In addition to providing estimated values of elevation points, CDED can be used to determine orientation and slope of each point when used in GIS applications. CDED data are available, at no charge, for download from the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG) GeoBase portal.

Data are available by NTS sheet number at the 1:50,000 or 1:250 000 scales.

Further Information: Data descriptions, documentation and image viewing software.

Search GeoBase CDED Data Viewer

Download CDED data from GeoBase

DMTI Spatial Inc.

Includes: CanMap® Streetfiles, CanMap® RouteLogistics, CanMap® Rail, Canadian Atlas Map Bundle, Postal Code Geography, Census Demographic Boundaries, Digital Elevation Models

Further Information

User Agreement (for registered members of Trent University)

To obtain DMTI data: Send an email request to the Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (dataimage@trentu.ca). Requests should include the geographic area (NTS numbers or geographic coordinates, or a map of your research area), the type of information you need (e.g. streets or postal code information) and a signed User Agreement form.

Statistics Canada - Census Information

Statistics Canada has a remarkable history of census taking, dating back to colonial times. Since 1956, the Census of Agriculture and Census of Population have been taken together every five years across the entire country. These provide us with a wide range of information about our populations. As the census has evolved the range of products has expanded. These products now include: 1) reference tools (for example, a census dictionary or catalogue of census geography products); 2) data products (examples from the Census of Population include products giving information on age, sex, place of birth, marital status, place of work, income, ethnic origin, language, school attendance, occupation and shelter; while the Census of Agriculture provides information on crop area, number of livestock, weeks of farm labour, number and value of farm machinery, farm expenses and receipts, size [area] of operation, and land management practices); and 3) geography products (such as boundary files, road network files, theme and reference maps).

When a census is conducted Canada is divided into geography boundaries, which are then subdivided or aggregated to form other geographic areas. For example, the City of Peterborough is located within one census metropolitan area (CMA); this area includes 17 census tracts (CT); and each census tract is broken down into several dissemination areas (DA). Data are gathered for each boundary, and this information can be studied on its own, or brought into a GIS, enabling population statistics to be correlated to geographic boundaries. A variety of chloropleth maps (a thematic map displaying data by area) can be generated using boundary files and population data to illustrate population trends and characteristics within the region.

Some important internet links to census information include:

Statistics Canada Census
Statistics Canada 2011 Census consultation
Statistics Canada 2006 Census : Census of Geography, Census of Population, Census of Agriculture
Statistics Canada 2001 Census: Census of Geography, Census of Population, Census of Agriculture
ESTAT (restricted access - connect through Trent Proxy Server when off campus)
CANADIAN CENSUS THROUGH CHASS (restricted access - connect through Trent Proxy Server when off campus)

In addition to information available at no cost from the internet, some census products are subject to license agreements. Through our membership in the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) Trent Library has access to additional census products, including select geography products. Geography products include Census Cartographic boundary files (select vector files from 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 census years) and postal code conversion files. Cartographic boundary files (vector layers) are available for Federal Electoral Districts, Census Divisions, Census Metropolitan Areas, Census Subdivisions, Census Tracts, and Dissemination Areas (see geography boundaries for further information).

To obtain Census Geography files or other information: Please contact the Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (dataimage@trentu.ca), including a User Agreement and Order Form (for registered members of Trent University)

Ontario Provincial Geospatial Information

Trent University Library has a number of partnership agreements with Ontario public sector ministries and agencies. We are a member of the Ontario Geospatial Data Exchange (OGDE) and subscribe to data sets available from the Land Information Ontario warehouse.

Data sets include: Ontario Basic Mapping Data (including topographic information), soil data, geological information, municipal boundaries, elevation data, orthophotography, satellite imagery and much more. See the List of data sets available from the Land Information Ontario warehouse for some important data sets available from Trent University Library. For further information or to acquire data sets please contact the Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (dataimage@trentu.ca)

List of OGDE participating agencies that contribute data or other services
User Agreement

To access Ontario data sets or for further information: Please send requests by email to the Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (dataimage@trentu.ca). Requests for data sets should include the geographic area (using MNR district or OBM numbers, geographic coordinates, or a map of your research area) and the type of information (eg. soils or contour information) you need as well as a completed User Agreement form.