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  • April 06, 2020 11:06 AM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    Dear colleagues, 

    The current situation involving COVID-19 emphasizes the importance of having timely and accessible information available to the public at all levels of government. As important collaborators and supporters of Canada’s open government activities we are reaching out on behalf of our colleagues at Statistics Canada’s Linkable Open Data Environment Initiative, which aims to enhance the use and harmonization of data from municipal, provincial and federal sources.

    In order to increase public awareness of available health facilities across the country, Statistics Canada is looking for relevant data to support an up-to-date open database. The attached email outlines additional context, including the data sources that have already been compiled for this initiative. Our colleagues at Statistics Canada are requesting any updated or additional open or publicly available datasets that contain information on location and type of health facilities. For reference purposes, we encourage you to look at a similar initiative that was completed for educational facilities at this link.

    In hopes of expediting a response to our colleagues, we encourage you to reach out directly to Alessandro Alasia from Statistics Canada at alessandro.alasia@canada.ca/   We hope that you will find a way to support Alessandro and his team in their efforts as they move quickly to compile this information by the end of the week.

     Kind regards,

     TBS Open Government Team

  • April 04, 2020 2:16 PM | Jeff Norris (Administrator)

    As the situation surrounding coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic continues to evolve geospatial data and technology is being widely used to support a wide spectrum of government and other organizations with mapping, location intelligence and business insights. This helps to monitor, manage and communicate the impact of the outbreak.

    Below is a link to the Geospatial Knowledge Platform showcasing examples of Covid-19 related information dashboards.

    https://www.geospatialworld.net/covid-19-dashboard/

    For information specifically related to the outbreak in the Province of Ontario please refer to the link:

    https://covid-19.ontario.ca/index.html


    6.8.0
  • March 08, 2020 1:19 PM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    Kessey-Dewitt Publications, in Association with URISA, has recently released the second Edition of the GIS Management Handbook—a major revision of the 2009 edition. Below is a brief description and the attached flyer provides additional information. Contact: URISA to order this book

    Description of Book:

    Published by Kessey Dewitt Publications in association with URISA, 460 pp., 2019

    ISBN13: 978-0-9824093-1-2

    This book is a comprehensive guide and reference to the field of GIS management. It provides practical information on the development, implementation, and operation of GIS programs and projects—for a full range of public sector, not-for-profit, and private sector organizations and companies. This book takes a practical approach providing clear descriptions of concepts, issues, and practices that may be used in operational to improve and maximize the efficiency of GIS programs and projects.

  • March 01, 2020 1:43 PM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    Learn what I Learned!   A BeSpatial - Eastern Ontario Regional Event 

    When: TBD

    Where: Queen's University, David Gordon Conference Centre, Kingston, ON

     421 Union St W, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6

    It is a great opportunity to connect to GIS professionals in Eastern Ontario and learn how people are using GIS at their organizations.

    Register

  • February 29, 2020 10:55 AM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    When: TBD
    Where:  Donald Gordon Conference Centre
    421 Union Street West,

    Kingston, ON K7L 4L6

    Preliminary Agenda Presentation Topics Announced
    • Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking and Opening Remarks
    • "Next Generation 911" Alex Brossault, Program Manager, GIS and Info, City of Guelph with Barry Costello, Esri
    • "GIS in Infrastructure Project Lifecycle" Phil Healey, Manager, Enterprise GIS, City of Kingston
    • "Creating a Culture of Change: Open Government and the Ontario GeoHub”  Mike Dunkley, Land Information Ontario
    • Buffet Lunch and Networking
    • Keynote: "Thoughts On Adding Geo-Records To The Pilot Study On Best Practices For Citizen Access To Public Records.",  Dr. Barry Wellar. C.M., GISP, Past President, URISA.org (1978), Professor Emeritus, University Of Ottawa, President, Information Research Board. 
      • Discussion: Are GEO-Records the key to better citizen access to public records? Based on what they represent , there are reasons to say YES.  Learn more. Review the attached presentation and plan to come to Kingston on March 26 to discuss further!
    • Closing Remarks

    LEARN WHAT I LEARNED - A BeSPATIAL EASTERN ONTARIO REGIONAL EVENT

  • December 10, 2019 12:53 PM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    Interested in showcasing your GIS program?

    If your educational institution provides a unique and meaningful experience that will help the growth of future GIS professionals, please send us a profile of your program.

    Coming soon! We are planning to introduce a dedicated Education web space that will showcase geospatial and information programs, provide information and updates on our student mentor program and feature opportunities for students to volunteer. 

    Please email your submissions to our President, Susan to be featured on our website and eNewsletter.

  • September 09, 2019 12:37 PM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    H

    The Data Driven Intelligence Working Group & the Public Sector Service Delivery Council is excited to share the Analytics Playbook. 

    The Analytics Playbook will be an effective tool for sector organizations to get started on their analytics journey as well as advance up the maturity curve to implement more advanced tools and methodologies.

    "We have already heard the document has had an impact in helping jurisdictions advocate internally for leadership buy-in and resources to build analytics capacity. Our plan is to keep this document evergreen and incorporate leading practices and cases as the sector and environment evolves. We look forward to keeping you up to date in the future. We ask you to provide us with relevant use cases you feel would be pertinent."

    Click here for more information.     
  • September 01, 2019 2:06 PM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    BeSpatial issued a poll on August 14 seeking your input on program topic areas

    We've heard back and the results are below;

    BeSpatial / urisa ontario will be reviewing these topics of interest at our upcoming strategic planning session. Your feedback on this poll is much appreciated!

    Below are geospatial and Information focused topics identified from our BeSpatial'19 post-event survey:

    • Archiving information and digitizing things for future generations. Fun themes like ways of convincing higher ups to buy into a new GIS system or feature.
    • ArcGIS Online and ArcPro demos, other municipalities with their mapping process.
    • AR, leveraging open source software/ GitHub, municipal uses for lidar.
    • Banking industry.
    • BIM/CIM sessions or workshop.
    • Broad swath of speakers that will be working with GIS data (multi-agency dispatchers & responders - OPP, municipal police/fire/paramedics; Bell 9-1-1; CRTC TIF committee; NENA; Esri Canada; dispatch software providers).
    • Commercial business as a theme.
    • Data and application of GIS with data.
    • Education industry.
    • Employee Focused Forum.
    • Environmental topics, include sessions on emerging industries that will affect and/or collaborate with GIS, such as AI.
    • Field Data Collection, Internet Mapping, Methodology/SOP.
    • GIS Management sessions or balancing the advanced technology with departmental stability.
    • Lessons Learned - more content about mistakes we have made in the past / what are our concerns with the directions we are headed into the future / more information on how to educate public better / more information on how to get council and government on board with implementing new ideas.
    • Lidar and drones acquisition.
    • Lightning presentations... an hr session with ~5-10 minute presentations showcasing successful GIS projects.
    • Open Government Open Data AI/Machine Learning in the spatial world.
    • Privacy and data, Future of GIS, Transit / transportation planning, new or soon to release data science tools time saving methods community engagement / partnerships.
    • Smart Cities - How/who should be involved in smart cities
    • Unconventional/expanded uses of GIS software beyond mapping.
    • Utility focused presentations would add interest.
    • What’s trending? - impacts on business decisions Artificial Intelligence and Internet of things, for example and from a Geospatial perspective. Also, intelligence driven by information through analytics / Geospatial solutions.
    • Webinar or 1/2 Full day session opportunities - Sessions were very high-level due to their short time. Would like to see some longer sessions with more detail offered.

    If you have an presentation that would appeal to our geospatial and information community, please complete the presentation submission form or contact John to discuss. Program content is to be public sector and/or industry recognized and non-corporate aligned.

    If you are a private sector partner, please consider inviting a public sector client to co-present with you. Sponsored opportunities for the private sector are available.  

  • July 14, 2019 10:55 AM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    Dear fellow BeSpatial / urisa ontario members,

    I am so excited to be your new President. I had to think back, but the last time I was President, it was of Maids Hall, Women’s residence at the University of Guelph a long, long time ago! I have been working the GeoSpatial field since Graduating from Sir Sandford Fleming in 1998. I have worked in GIS software with Avenza, cartographic map production at Western University, photogrammetric map production at Triathlon, and for the last 10 years, LiDAR business development with Airborne Imaging.  

    My membership with BeSpatial Ontario, has always been a complement to my “day” job, especially through attending the AGM and various seminars over the years. I have been a member on and off for several years, however became Eastern Section Director in 2017. It has always been a way for me to stay connected with new technology and people in the industry. The key benefits of participating in an Ontario-focused geospatial and information community are to network with folks who have common challenges and share creative and new solutions to those challenges.

    BeSpatial Ontario services include networking and knowledge sharing opportunities with colleagues and industry partners. Membership privileges include discount on events, complimentary webinars, regional events, and an annual program event and workshop with over 250 participants, BeSpatial Ontario works closely with partner associations such as AOLS, GoGeomatics, Go Open Data, MISA to provide added value program offerings.

    During my two year term I would like to focus on 2 things:

    1. I am passionate about helping new graduates be successful in their careers. Over the next two years I plan to help raise our profile with students, increase our student membership by at least 70 more. I would like students to have the opportunity to network within the community and make lasting relationship that will help them in their careers.
    2. I am also interested in raising the profiles of our private sector  and consultant members. We need to hear about what you are doing in the GeoSpatial and information industry. I would like to see more webinars and seminars from these members, partnered with their clients, sharing their real time business solutions to others who would find value in the products and services available.

    I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at one of our events.

    Sincerely, 

    Susan Muleme Kasumba

  • June 17, 2019 11:44 AM | Sandra Crutcher (Administrator)

    Outgoing Board 2019 

    Back L to R:  Andrew Lyszkiewicz, Strategy & Outreach, Scott Barbacki, Communications, Mirjana Strajin, Programs, Melanie Wawryk, Western Section, Al Little, Immediate Past President, Kyle Murdoch, Northern Section  & Hanna Sjostrom, Member Services, 

    Front L to R: Catherine Fitzgerald, President, Khas Selvarajah, Communications, Irene Rubinstein, Education, Dianne Adams, Finance, Susan Muleme Kasumba, Eastern Section, Sandra Crutcher, Executive Director & Jasna Filipovic, BeSpatial.

    Missing: Brock Kingston, Northern Section, Jeremy Luymes, Web

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We are recognized as the premier geospatial and information non-profit organization in Ontario. where members share their experiences through networking and program events for the use and integration of spatial data, information, applications and technologies that provide solutions and solve challenges in both the public and private sectors.


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