Canadian Research Data Centres
Red = aggregated databases
1. Canada’s Michael Smith Genomic Science Centre - http://www.bcgsc.ca/data/
Leading international centre for genomics and bioinformatics research. The priority of the
centre is to develop innovative means to automate the DNA sequencing process, develop
cost-effective measures that will make such research financially viable, and utilize stateof-the-art computing facilities to collect, mine, analyze and disperse data collected at this
and other genome facilities.
Funding Model – The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services
Authority, provides a province-wide cancer control program for the residents of British
Columbia. Additional support is funded by the British Columbia Cancer Foundation and
the following organizations: CIHR-IRSC, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research,
The Cancer Research Society, Prostate Cancer Canada, NSERC-CRSNG, Western
Economic Diversification Canada, The Terry Fox Foundation, National Institutes of
Health, GenomeCanada, Genome BritishColumbia, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation,
CBCRA, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Canadian Cancer Society, British Columbia,
Lions Club, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Who Can Deposit?- Platform services at the GSC are collaborative and are available and
accessible to any and all qualified researchers.
Open Access? – Open access
Preservation Mandate? – there appears to be a few different technology platforms:
Bioinformatics platform. Sequencing platform, Proteomics platform, and Drug Discovery
platform, neither of which mention preservation at all.
Part of Any Collectives?- The Genome Sciences Centre is one of fifteen research
programs that operate as part of the BC Cancer Research Centre.
2. Canada’s National Climate Data and Information Archive http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/Welcome_e.html
The National Climate Data and Information Archive, operated and maintained by
Environment Canada, contains official climate and weather observations for Canada.
Climate elements, such as temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, atmospheric
pressure, wind speed, wind direction, visibility, cloud types, cloud heights and amounts,
soil temperature, evaporation, solar radiation and sunshine as well as occurrences of
thunderstorms, hail, fog or other weather phenomena are warehoused in a digital database.
Access to selected portions of this data, as well as related products such as CD-ROMs
and climate normals and averages are available on this web site. Information regarding
obtaining extremes, monthly summaries, microfilm, microfiche, paper documents and
technical documents, is also available.
Funding Model – Funded by Canadian Government/Environment Canada
Who Can Deposit? – different “stations” all over Canada that are already linked to
Environment Canada report daily data using standardized sensors and reporting tools.
Open Access? - Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – No
3. Canadian Astronomy Data Centre - http://www3.cadc-ccda.hia-iha.nrccnrc.gc.ca/cadc/
Aggregates about 28 astronomy archives for data searching.
Funding Model – operated by the National Research Council of Canada with the support
of the Canadian Space Agency
Who Can Deposit? – professional astronomers?
Open Access? - original archival data requires (free) registration which is usually
restricted to professional astronomers. Catalogue browsing and other services are open to
the public.
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – 28 astronomy archives
4. Canadian Space Science Data Portal - https://cssdp.ca/ssdp/app/login
The CSSDP project provides space scientists with access to a wide range of space data,
observations, and investigative tools. It provides a seamless, single- point of access to
these resources through a custom web portal.
Funding Model - Collaboration of CANARIE, CYBERA, the Canadian Space Agency
and the University of Alberta
Who Can Deposit? – specific groups: CGSM, NORSTAR, SuperDARN, NRCAN
(CANMOS), CARISMA, CHAIN, DRAO (F10.7), MACCS, e-POP, THEMIS,
ORBITALS
Open Access? - must register to access data
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – Partners with: University of Alberta, CANARIE, Cybera Inc
(project lead), University of Calgary, University of California, University of New
Brunswick, University of Saskatchewan
5. CRYSTMET - http://www.tothcanada.com/databases.htm
Database that contains chemical, crystallographic (data for metals, including alloys,
intermetallics and minerals) and bibliographic data together with associated comments
regarding experimental details for each study. Licenced by Toth Information Systems,
Inc.
Funding Model - National Research Council of Canada, now licenced by Toth
Information Systems, Inc.
Who Can Deposit? – all data is critically evaluated before being added to database
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – No
6. Cybercell Database - http://redpoll.pharmacy.ualberta.ca/CCDB/
The CyberCell database (CCDB) actually consists of several databases and is a
comprehensive collection of detailed enzymatic, biological, chemical, genetic, and
molecular biological data about E. coli (strain K12, MG1655). The CCDB functions as an
archival bioinformatics resource for Project CyberCell serving as a warehouse of prior or
existing knowledge as well as a repository for newly acquired, experimental knowledge
about E. coli.
Funding Model – Funded by Pence, GenomePrairie, ANPI and Western Economic
Diversification Canada
Who Can Deposit? - E. coli researchers world-wide
Open Access? – open access
Preservation Mandate? - Not found
Part of Any Collectives? - CCDB is part of Project CyberCell*, a large-scale multi-lab
project based out the University of Alberta. Project CyberCell is also part of the
International E. coli Alliance, an multi-national project aimed at coordinating E. coli
simulation and E. coli bioinformatics efforts across Canada (Project CyberCell), the US
(EMC2), Japan (E-Cell) and the European Community (SiliconCell, GSK)
7. Geoconnections Discovery Portal - http://geodiscover.cgdi.ca/web/guest/home
The GeoConnections Discovery Portal is a metadata catalogue that enables GIS users,
developers and data suppliers to find, evaluate, access, visualize and publish Canadian
geospatial and geoscience data products and Web services.
Funding Model - Natural Resources Canada - Produced under licence from Her Majesty
the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Natural Resources.
Who Can Deposit? - must register to publish data
Open Access? - registration only required for access to additional portal features
Preservation Mandate?- Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – Not sure, but there are related Geo databases…see below.
8. GeoBase - http://www.geobase.ca/
GeoBase is a federal, provincial and territorial government initiative that is overseen by
the Canadian Council on Geomatics (CCOG). It is undertaken to ensure the provision of,
and access to, a common, up-to-date and maintained base of quality geospatial data for all
of Canada. Through the GeoBase portal, users with an interest in the field of geomatics
have access to quality geospatial information at no cost and with unrestricted use.
Funding Model – funding support from GeoConnections – Natural Resources Canada
Most of GeoBase data are produced under partnership between federal, provincial and
territorial agencies. GeoBase partners are involved in different levels of the data
production process such as project funding, sharing of source data or by working on data
collection and data processing.
Who Can Deposit? - federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government data
producers
Open Access? – open, but user registration is mandatory for downloading GeoBase data
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – No
9. GeoGratis - http://geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/geogratis/en/index.html
GeoGratis is a portal provided by the Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) of Natural Resourcs
Canada which provides geospatial data at no cost and without restrictions via your web
browser.
Funding Model - Natural Resourcs Canada
Who Can Deposit? Open Access? – Open, but users are encouraged to register on a voluntary basis
Preservation Mandate? - Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – No
10. Geoscience Data Repository - http://gdr.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php
The Geoscience Data Repository (GDR) is a collection of Earth Sciences Sector
geoscience databases that is managed and accessed by a series of Information Services
(GDRIS). The aim of the GDR is to standardize corporate databases and make them
interoperable in order to increase the discovery, access and use of the geoscience
information that the Sector has been mandated to collect and maintain.
Funding Model – Natural Resources Canada
Who Can Deposit? –
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? - The GDR is designed so that the data sets it contains for the
applications of today will continue to be useful for the applications of tomorrow. This is
accomplished by allowing the loading, discovery and access of these data sets through a
suite of standard Web enabled services that allow for the easy integration of the GDR
information into new applications.
Part of Any Collectives? –
11. Integrated Science Data Management - http://www.meds-sdmm.dfompo.gc.ca/isdm-gdsi/index-eng.html
ISDM's mandate is to manage and archive ocean data collected by DFO, or acquired
through national and international programmes conducted in ocean areas adjacent to
Canada, and to disseminate data, data products, and services to the marine community in
accordance with the policies of the Department.
Funding Model – Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Who Can Deposit? - Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), national and
international programmes conducted in ocean areas adjacent to Canada. Data policy:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/data-donnees/policy-politique-eng.htm
Open Access? – “DFO scientific data are a public resource and subject to full and open
access within two years of being acquired.” some data publicly available, others involve
data request form. Some data may be classified. Data policy: http://www.dfompo.gc.ca/science/data-donnees/policy-politique-eng.htm
Preservation Mandate? – “it is essential that DFO Science/Oceans maintain
responsibility for . . . quality control, management, archiving and dissemination [of
data].” “To ensure proper management and archival of data, all scientific data collected
by the Department must be migrated to a ‘managed' archive immediately after the data
have been processed.” Stated responsibilities include “ensuring long term accessibility
and documentation in the event of organizational changes, retirements, etc.” and
“protecting data against loss resulting from error, accident, technological change,
degradation of media, etc.” Data policy: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/datadonnees/policy-politique-eng.htm
Part of Any Collectives? –
12. National Atmospheric Chemistry Database - http://www.ec.gc.ca/natchem/
The purpose of the NAtChem database is to enhance atmospheric research through the
archival and analysis of North American air and precipitation chemistry data.
Funding Model – Science and Technology Branch of Environment Canada
Who Can Deposit? - networks must operate for a period of at least two years, must
have wide area coverage, and must have regionally-representative sites (rural and
background).
Open Access? - must register to access data
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? - The NAtChem Database consists of several smaller databases
13. National Forestry Database - http://nfdp.ccfm.org/index_e.php
The Canadian Forest Service (CFS) developed and maintains the National Forestry
Database and has responsibility for disseminating national forestry statistics. Quick facts,
national data and jurisdictional data are available for forest inventory, wood supply,
forest fires, forest insects, forest products, silviculture, revenues, and pest control product
use.
Funding Model – The Program is a partnership between the federal government and
provincial and territorial governments.
Who Can Deposit? - Most of the data are provided by the provincial or territorial
resource management organizations. Federal land data are provided by the responsible
federal departments and compiled by the CFS.
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? –
14. Oil Properties Database - http://www.etccte.ec.gc.ca/databases/OilProperties/Default.aspx
The database contains physical and chemical properties of over 450 crude oils.
Funding Model – Environment Canada
Who Can Deposit? – government agencies
Open Access? – Open Access
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – No
15. St. Lawrence Global Observatory - http://slgo.ca/en.html
The St. Lawrence Global Observatory is an initiative to provide integrated access to data
and information from a network of governmental, academic and community
organizations for the sustainable management of the St. Lawrence global ecosystem.
Funding Model – Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Who Can Deposit? – governmental, academic and community organizations
Open Access? – open access for most data, some is restricted
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – has Board of Directors, Advisory Committee and a Virtual
Network of Experts
16. The Centre for Applied Genomics Databases http://www.tcag.ca/databases/index.html
The Centre for Applied Genomics hosts a variety of databases related to ongoing
supported projects.
Funding Model – Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute
Who Can Deposit? –
Open Access? – Open Access
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? –
17. Water Survey of Canada - http://www.ec.gc.ca/rhcwsc/default.asp?lang=En&n=4EED50F1-1
The Water Survey of Canada (WSC) is the national authority responsible for the
collection, interpretation and dissemination of standardized water resource data and
information in Canada.
Funding Model – Environment Canada
Who Can Deposit? – Water Survey of Canada, in partnership with provinces, territories
and other agencies (has over 2500 active hydrometric gauges across the country)
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – No
18. World ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre - http://www.woudc.org/
The World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre (WOUDC) is one of the World
Data Centres which are part of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme of the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It’s operated by Environment Canada
Funding Model – World Meteorological Organization
Who Can Deposit? – designated stations that collect data as well as specific international
agencies and institutions; http://www.woudc.org/currentcontributors_e.html, other data
originators are asked to follow steps for arranging data submissions to the WOUDC for
ozone and/or UV data sets.
Open Access? – All data are publicly available.
Preservation Mandate? – Not Found
Part of Any Collectives? –
19. Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre - http://www.accdc.com/home.html
To assemble and provide objective and understandable data and expertise about species
and ecological communities of conservation concern, including those at risk, and
undertake field biological inventories to support decision-making, research, and
education in Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic CDC maintains comprehensive lists of plant
and animal species, with a rarity rank and legal status for each. These lists, the result of
collaboration with regional experts, aid the development of sub-national rarity ranks (Sranks). The Atlantic CDC also maintains biological and other types of data (information
sources, professional contacts, data requests, etc.) in a variety of linked databases.
Records occurrence data.
Funding Model – A registered charity, supported by federal and provincial governments
and environmental organizations. Located at Mount Allison U.
Who Can Deposit? – The CDC welcomes inquiries from those who would like to
contribute data. If you are a practicing or retired scientist, professional or amateur
naturalist, or simply have information about plant or animal species at risk or rare
communities in Atlantic Canada, we would like to hear from you.
Open Access? – Site visitors can download species occurrence data that has been
generalized to the county level. Detailed data is commercial and comes with restrictions
on use.
Preservation Mandate? – Not found.
Part of Any Collectives? – Member of NatureServe Canada http://www.natureservecanada.ca and NatureServe (international) http://www.natureserve.org/index.jsp
20. B.C. Conservation Data Centre - http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/
Systematically collects and disseminates information on plants, animals and ecosystems
(ecological communities) at risk in British Columbia. BC Species and Ecosystems
Explorer represents a "snapshot" of dynamic data that are continually being refined by the
BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC). Mostly reports.
Funding Model – a joint project of the Ministry of Environment, the Nature Trust of B.C.,
the Nature Conservancy of Canada and The Nature Conservancy (US). Initial funding
came from a variety of government and corporate sponsors.
Who Can Deposit? – The Conservation Data Centre depends on the observations of
scientists and knowledgeable amateur naturalists to continue building its province-wide
database on the locations of species and ecological communities at risk. Once received,
your observation will be reviewed by the pertinent staff specialist. If appropriate, it will
be incorporated into the database as a new record, or used to update an existing record.
Has instructions for documenting observations. Will accept data in any format, but
encourages people to use their observation forms.
Open Access? – Most of the data is open, but the CDC database contains records which
are sensitive for ecological, academic or other reasons, or because they occur on private
property. These records fall under the exemption provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act and will not be released to the public. Such records are normally listed in
reports without locational information attached, but with a contact address provided so
that the reason for protection of the record can be discussed. Exceptions are made only
under specific circumstances (e.g., for bona fide government conservation planning
strategies, professional personnel working to enforce the Forest Practices Code, etc.) on
the understanding that this information will not be released to the general public.
Preservation Mandate? – Not found.
Part of Any Collectives? – Member of NatureServe Canada http://www.natureservecanada.ca and NatureServe (international) http://www.natureserve.org/index.jsp
21. Natural Heritage Information Centre http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/nhic.cfm
Compiles, maintains and distributes information on natural species, plant communities
and spaces of conservation concern in Ontario. This information is stored in a spatial
database used for tracking this information.
Funding Model – a joint project of the Ontario MNR, Natural Heritage League, the
Nature Conservancy of Canada and The Nature Conservancy (US).
Who Can Deposit? – Anyone. They have an online form for reporting rare species and
plants. They provide instructions.
Open Access? – Yes, but some sensitive data may be restricted. Can download Shapefiles.
Preservation Mandate? – Mission: to acquire, maintain, update, and make available data
on the province's rare species, vegetation communities, and natural areas. Goal: to
generate a permanent and dynamic atlas and data bank on the character, distribution and
conservation status of natural areas, critical flora and fauna, communities and special
features in Ontario.
Part of Any Collectives? –
22. Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility - http://www.cbif.gc.ca/home_e.php
A discovery layer with links to repositories. They don’t appear to archive any data.
Funding Model – CBIF is made up of the five federal natural resource departments and
other partners.
Who Can Deposit? – Not found.
Open Access? – Yes
Preservation Mandate? – Not found.
Part of Any Collectives? – Member of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility
(GBIF)
23. System of Agents for Forest Observation Research with Automation Hierarchies
(SAFORAH) - http://www.saforah.org/
Was created in March 2002 to coordinate and streamline the archiving and sharing of
numerous distributed large remote sensing data sets between various research groups
with Canadian Forest Service (CFS), UVic and other academic and government partners
to facilitate research in support of our national forest monitoring activities.
Funding Model – SAFORAH was developed through a collaboration of government,
university and industry. Including; Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Canadian Space
Agency (CSA), GeoConnections Canada, University of Victoria (UVic), Center for
Spatial Information Science and Systems (CSISS), George Mason University (GMU),
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), Environment Canada (EC),
Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada (AAFC), BC Common Information Technology
Services (CITS), Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
Who Can Deposit? – SAFORAH was built with advanced grid-computing technology
that presents the distributed data storage facilities as a single archive offering download
or upload of remote sensing data to users. Currently, four regional CFS centres,
Environment Canada - National Wildlife Research Centre, and the University of Victoria
(UVic) are operationally connected to the SAFORAH data grid. The UVic connections
include the Department of Physics' petabyte data store, the Geography Department, and
the Computing Science Department. Discussions are underway to connect other agencies.
Open Access? – Users can obtain access to remote sensing data and information products
in SAFORAH by using the Catalogue and User Data Ordering System (CUDOS) (User
registration required) or an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) portal (User registration
not required).
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – Not found
24. Canadian Wildland Fire Information System http://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/en_CA/index
Is a computer-based fire management information system that monitors fire danger
conditions across Canada. Daily weather conditions are collected from across Canada and
used to produce fire weather and fire behavior maps. In addition, satellites are used to
detect fires. Creates daily fire weather and fire behavior maps year-round and hot spot
maps throughout the forest fire season, generally between May and September.
Funding Model – Natural Resources Canada
Who Can Deposit? – various sources including: over 900 stations in Canada and USA,
Environment Canada, the US National Imagery and Mapping Agency, fire management
agencies, Canadian Meteorological Centre, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS), NASA, NOAA ,
the University of Maryland, and the USDA Forest Service, etc.
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – Not found
25. Barcode of Life (BOLD)
Is an online workbench that aids collection, management, analysis, and use of DNA
barcodes. It consists of 3 components (MAS, IDS, and ECS) that each address the needs
of various groups in the barcoding community.
Funding Model – funded by: Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, Ministry of Research and
Innovation Ontario, GenomeCanada, OntarioGenomicsInstitute, NSERC CRSNG
Who Can Deposit? – freely available to all interested parties. This means that anyone can
create an account, access public barcode records, upload their own data and have access
to all features available on BOLD.
Open Access? – Must register to use
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – The Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) was
launched in May 2004 and now includes more than 120 organizations from 45 nations.
26. Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets (BioGRID) http://thebiogrid.org/
This database was developed to house and distribute collections of protein and genetic
interactions from major model organism species.
Funding Model – Funding Partners include: National Institutes of Health, CIHR IRSC,
BBSRC. Also have Facility Partners, Model Organism Database Partners, Interaction
Database Partners, Annotation Database Partners, Tool Partners, Software and Library
Partners.
Who Can Deposit? – data must be published or “in Press”
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – Affiliated with a number labs, see
http://wiki.thebiogrid.org/doku.php/aboutus
27. The Organelle Genome Megasequencing Program http://megasun.bch.umontreal.ca/ogmp/
The Organelle Genome Megasequencing Program (OGMP) is interested in the evolution
of mitochondria and plastids and their genomes. Databases include:



PEP, with a focus on unicellular microbial eukaryotes, known as protists
FMGP, the Fungal Mitochondrial Genome Project.
GOBASE, a taxonomically broad organelle genome database that organizes and
integrates diverse data related to mitochondria and chloroplasts
Funding Model – Support for the OGMP has been provided by operating and equipment
grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC) and the Canadian Genome
Analysis and Technology Program (CGAT), by salary support for G. Burger, MW. Gray
and BF. Lang from the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIAR), Program in
Evolutionary Biology, and by generous equipment grants from Sun Microsystems and LiCor.
Who Can Deposit? –
Open Access? –
Preservation Mandate? –
Part of Any Collectives? – The Organelle Genome Megasequencing Program (OGMP)
has been initiated by an interdisciplinary collaboration involving ten research groups,
predominantly in Eastern Canada, each of which is interested in the evolution of
mitochondria and plastids and their genomes.
28. TCAG Databases - http://www.tcag.ca/tcagDatabases.html
The Centre for Applied Genomics hosts a variety of databases related to ongoing
supported projects.
Funding Model – affiliated with SickKids
Who Can Deposit? – Curation of these databases is performed in-house by TCAG
Bioinformatics staff
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – Not found
29. Canada Vigilance Online Database - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhpmps/medeff/databasdon/index-eng.php
Contains information about suspected adverse reactions (also known as side effects) to
health products, captured from adverse reaction reports submitted to Health Canada by
consumers and health professionals, who submit reports voluntarily, as well as by market
authorization holders (manufacturers and distributors), who are required to submit reports
according to the Food and Drugs Regulations.
Funding Model – Health Canada
Who Can Deposit? – consumers and health professionals, who submit reports voluntarily,
as well as by market authorization holders (manufacturers and distributors), who are
required to submit reports according to the Food and Drugs Regulations.
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? –
30. Institute of Ocean Sciences - http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/oceans/datadonnees/index-eng.htm
Devoted to the west coast. The IOS/OSD data archive contains the holdings of
oceanographic data generated by the Institute of Ocean Sciences and other agencies and
laboratories, including the Institute of Oceanography at the University of British
Columbia and the Pacific Biological Station. The contents include data from B.C. coastal
waters and inlets, B.C. continental shelf waters, open ocean North Pacific waters,
Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Archipelago.
Funding Model – Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Who Can Deposit? – Probably only accepts data from specific laboratories, observatories,
and stations. See description above.
Open Access? – Not exactly. DFO employees have access. External users can search the
catalogue, but must contact the repository for access the data. In most cases, access will
require a data use licence agreement and fee.
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – May be affiliated with the Integrated Science Data
Management (#11).
31. Ocean and Ecosystem Science - http://www2.mar.dfompo.gc.ca/science/ocean/sci/sci-e.html
Devoted to the east coast. Similar datasets to Institute of Ocean Sciences (#30). Ocean
and Ecosystem Science (OES) is a compendium of scientific information and data
generated by science staff working on oceanographic, environmental, ecological, and fish
conservation issues along the east coast. OES features information on oceanographic
monitoring and research programs that are developed by the Ocean Science Division
(OSD) the Maritimes Region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to
increase the understanding of ocean phenomena/processes in support of the management
and sustainable development of marine resources.
Funding Model – Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Who Can Deposit? – Probably only accepts data from specific laboratories, observatories,
and stations.
Open Access? – Most datasets are available for download or viewing. Some require
registration.
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – May be affiliated with the Integrated Science Data
Management (#11).
32. Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea - http://venus.uvic.ca/
An instrument network. They “will maintain an Archive of instrument data of the highest
quality possible within the Facility’s operating constraints.”
33. National Water Data Archive (HYDEX, HYDAT) - http://venus.uvic.ca/
HYDEX is a relational database that contains inventory information on the various
streamflow, water level, and sediment stations (both active and discontinued) in Canada.
This database contains information about the stations themselves such as: location,
equipment, and type(s) of data collected. HYDAT is a relational database that contains
the actual computed data for the stations listed in HYDEX. These data include: daily and
monthly means of flow, water levels and sediment concentrations (for sediment sites).
For some sites, peaks and extremes are also recorded. The data are collected by the
regional offices and updated in the national database once per year.
Funding Model – Environment Canada, jointly administered under federal-provincial and
federal-territorial cost-sharing agreements.
Who Can Deposit? – Looks like government scientists only
Open Access? – Yes
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of Any Collectives? – Not found
34. The Research Data Centres - http://www.statcan.gc.ca/rdc-cdr/index-eng.htm
Gives Canada’s research community access to Canadian social and population health
statistics and help provide evidence for effective public policy and planning.
Funding Model – Statistics Canada
Who can Deposit? – microdata from population and household surveys
Open Access? – researchers with access, in a secure university setting
Preservation Mandate? –
Part of any Collectives? – in partnership with Canadian Research Data Centre Network,
includes a number of Universities all over Canada
35. Open Data Pilot Project http://www.data.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=F9B7A1E3-1
The Open Data Pilot seeks to improve the ability of the public to find, download and use
Government of Canada data. You are invited to search the catalogue, download datasets
and explore the possibilities of Open Data.
Funding Model – Government of Canada
Who can Deposit? – N/A
Open Access? – Open
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of any Collectives? –
36. Open Data Catalogue Beta v2 http://data.vancouver.ca/datacatalogue/index.htm
The Cities of Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa and Toronto have recently joined forces to
collaborate on an "Open Data Framework". The project aims to enhance current open
data initiatives in the areas of data standards and terms of use agreements.
37. Global Pesticides Release Database (GloPeRD) - http://www.ec.gc.ca/air-scr/default.asp?lang=En&n=BDCB94F8-1
Established in recognition of the increasingly urgent needs of the national and
international community for accurate and complete usage, emission and residue data for
pesticides. Includes: Surrogate data, in order to grid usage or emission data and to
apportion the usage or emission data to each cell, and Emission data, which is used in
modelling to understand the sources, occurrence, and pathways of contaminants and to
predict how their input and concentrations in the various environmental compartments
may change in the future.
Funding Model – Environment Canada, but also international funding
Who can Deposit? – N/A
Open Access? – Specific data from the GloPeRD database is available and free by
contacting the scientific authority, Dr. Yi-Fan Li.
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of any Collectives? - This research is a contribution to the Canadian Arctic research
through the Northern Contaminants Programme (NCP) and to the Global Emissions
Inventory Activity (GEIA)
38. National Air Pollution Surveillance Network – Data - http://www.ec.gc.ca/air-scr/default.asp?lang=En&n=9547191B-1
Canada-Wide database of criteria air contaminants from the early 1970s to the present for
designated National Air Pollution Surveillance Network sites, as well as provincial,
territorial and other sites. Trace contaminants are also monitored at several stations in the
network and analyzed by the laboratory at River Road.
Funding Model – Environment Canada
Who can Deposit? – N/A
Open Access? – Data is available upon request by email to RNSPANAPSINFO@ec.gc.ca
Preservation Mandate? – Not found
Part of any Collectives? – Not found