Many flood maps and studies will be located along freshwater bodies throughout Canada and will use further existing research at these locations.
We have recently launched our flood mapping portal, in which flood hazard maps and information from the FHIMP will be publicly accessible to inform local decision-making in support of land use planning, flood mitigation, adapting to climate change and protection of lives and properties.
NRCan hosts much of its flood mapping data on the open geospatial data portal, geo.ca, with other foundational data. Such data includes the Canadian hydrospatial network, formerly known as the national hydrographic network. It provides foundational base data that represents Canada's surface water features such as lakes, rivers and watersheds and the connections between them, which is intended to inform water and watershed management. Also included in the data on the portal is the flood susceptibility index, the FSI, which uses innovative machine learning to showcase flood-prone areas. Eventually, a pan-Arctic wetland inventory map, which we're working on, will also be provided on the portal. It will provide a more accurate understanding of the extent of coverage of wetlands across the Arctic using standardized data structure and management protocols.
Aside from hosting core data and geospatial layers, tools and freshwater and flood-related research, NRCan also hosts and leads the creation of the federal flood mapping guidelines series with the flood mapping community and is developing flood mapping standards.
Notably, CCMEO has long been informed by its work with the Canadian Council on Geomatics and the Canadian Geomatics Accord. The Canadian Council on Geomatics promotes co-operation with provinces and territories and the exchange of geospatial data to reduce the duplication of efforts and facilitate easy access to information for all Canadians.
Under the Resources and Technical Surveys Act and the Department of Natural Resources Act, NRCan follows its duties towards completing technical surveys, developing and using remote sensing, and furthering the sustainable development and management of natural resources.
Work is also under way within NRCan's Geological Survey of Canada. For example, NRCan has conducted a national level groundwater assessment using regional and national-scale groundwater and surface water modelling and remote sensing technologies. The Geological Survey of Canada has also partnered with Canada1Water, which is a fully integrated surface and groundwater model demonstrating water interactions and balances, which can be used to inform adaptation decisions.
I am also joined by my colleague Sylvain Vallières, who's online from Sherbrooke. He's the program manager for the flood hazard identification mapping program and a deputy director in the branch. We are very happy to support the committee and will endeavour to answer any questions you may have regarding our work.
Thank you.