To meet the Growth Plan objectives, and solve the complex economic, environmental and social issues facing the Capital Region, the CRB requires the ability to collect and analyze regional information to enable effective decision-making regarding matters of regional importance.  A set of tools is needed to enable the Capital Region to support future planning and assist with the implementation of the land use, transit, and housing plans.  These tools are found with a regional Geographic Information Services (GIS).

MANDATE

The mandate for the Geographic Information Services Plan was to develop a plan to coordinate geographic information services for the Capital Region that includes

• The protocols and methods for collecting, storing, and accessing data;
• The protocols and the methods for compiling and analyzing information; and
• Standardized terminology and standards for mapping capabilities for the participating municipalities.

VISION & PRINCIPLES

A regional GIS must operate on the foundations of ownership, collaboration and commitment. These determinations led to the creation and acceptance of the GIS Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles.

A shared regional geographic information service that provides equitable access and support for regional decision making.

To expand regional capacity and deliver regional geographic information services that support sustainable land use, inter municipal transit and social and market affordable housing decisions through the collaboration, of the Capital Region municipalities.

1. Autonomy - All municipal members will respect the self determination of the other municipalities and their control over land use planning within the context of the regional plan.
2. Collaboration - All municipal members will work together to support the planning efforts of the region.
3. Equity - All municipal members will be treated in a way that is both equitable and consistent.
4. Flexibility - All municipal members will be expected to identify options that work best for themselves while also fitting in with the needs of the region.
5. Mutuality - Working together in the region is often the key to achieving the economic objectives of any of the member municipalities.
6. Sustainability - All municipalities' members will seek decisions which encourage sustainable communities.
7. Transparency- Decision-making processes will be open and transparent to all participants. 

GIS Plan (PDF)

The GIS plan identifies a long term strategy and implementation plan that proposes making investments in people, processes, technology and data.  The goal of the Capital Region GIS plan is to expand regional capacity to deliver geographically-based information and services that support sustainable land use, public transit and housing decisions through collaboration of the Board and its member municipalities. While some municipalities have GIS systems, they do not provide information on a regional basis.  The GIS plan focuses on building a complementary set of services to what municipalities already have and not replace existing GIS systems.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

1. That the Capital Region GIS is implemented in three phases with investment decisions and project priorities being approved by the CRB.
2. That the CRGIS Services be provided by the CRB.
3. A Governance model to oversee implementation.
4. Regional framework to establish protocols, standards and methods.

GIS COMMITTEE

The Capital Region GIS Plan was made possible through the work of the following Committee Members:

CONTACT

For more information on the GIS Plan, contact:

Sharon Shuya, Manager - Regional Projects
Capital Region Board,
Phone: (780) 638-6004
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it