Govt. of Canada invests in Newfoundland and Labrador Co. to build next-generation Internet portals

This release is also available in French.

ST. JOHN’S — The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources (NRCan), today announced $2 million in funding for a contract with Compusult Limited of Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Under the terms of the competitively awarded contract, the information technology company will build two next-generation portals for GeoConnections, a national program led by NRCan. GeoConnections works with partners to expand the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI), an online resource that provides Canadians with access to geospatial — or location-based — information and technologies.

“The CGDI currently provides decision makers with access to online Web mapping and other information and technologies, enabling them to better monitor, understand and tackle some of Canada's most pressing challenges,” said Minister Hearn. “This contract will bring further enhancements to data access for Canadians and will enable this Newfoundland and Labrador company to expand its geomatics expertise and centre of operations.”

Geospatial information and technologies are used for a wide range of purposes, including managing Canada’s resources and environment, improving public safety and public health, and addressing matters of importance to Aboriginal peoples. Geospatial information may take the form of maps and satellite images or data associated with a particular location. The technologies involved range from GIS and GPS navigation systems to online mapping applications.