Final Report: Geospatial Data Archiving and Preservation Science & Technology Policy Research and Analysis Resource Team Natural Resources Canada GeoConnections Operational Framework Team

This report is written to meet the following objective: conduct research and provide analysis and recommendations on issue of archiving and preserving CGDI’s geospatial data assets, including solutions for perpetual access. The report is based primarily on research of available documents and literature, supplemented by consultations with a primary stakeholder, Library and Archives Canada (LAC). The report is structured in nine chapters, including this introduction. The second chapter provides a synopsis and analysis of some of the more significant legislative requirements for the archiving and preservation of Canada’s geospatial data. The third chapter reports on the consultation with Library and Archives Canada concerning their guidelines and best practices that might be used across government. Chapter 4 assesses geospatial considerations in Canada’s current information management policy, highlighting key Treasury Board policies and directives. The fifth and sixth chapters report the results of an environmental scan of Canadian consultations and reports and Canadian research on digital data archiving and preservation, respectively. Chapter 7 identifies some best practices based on an environmental scan of geospatial data archiving and preservation in Canada and abroad. The eighth chapter identifies a few business models for archiving and preservation, especially those that promote cooperation and sharing responsibility and costs for preservation activities. The final chapter provides conclusions drawn from the research findings and analysis and recommendations for follow up action